1
as in tormenter
a person who causes repeated emotional pain, distress, or annoyance to another
she can be a very cruel tease when she happens upon an unpopular girl who is easily hurt
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nuisance
one who is obnoxiously annoying
my youngest brother is a complete tease, following me around everywhere and aping my every move
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to joke
to make fun of in a good-natured way
likes to tease her twin brother about his seemingly endless string of girlfriends
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to taunt
to attack repeatedly with mean put-downs or insults
grew up being teased because his parents were hog farmers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tease
Blake Oestriecher, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
There was excitement last year when the two leads, who have remained close friends, posted on Instagram with an apparent tease at a sequel.
—Caroline Frost, Deadline, 1 Mar. 2025
Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Try teasing with scents, like a specific fragrance that turns you on.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tease
Noun
John Cena Finally Turns Heel At WWE Elimination Chamber
The ultimate tease had been a Rhodes heel turn, but with Rhodes being the No. 1 star during WWE’s biggest boom period ever, that would have been a shocking swerve.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
There was excitement last year when the two leads, who have remained close friends, posted on Instagram with an apparent tease at a sequel.
—Caroline Frost, Deadline, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
While moving plans aren't totally locked in yet, the duo is continuing to tease their forthcoming wedding, without giving too much away.
—Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Try teasing with scents, like a specific fragrance that turns you on.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tease
Noun
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Along with claims of trespass and nuisance, Energy Transfer alleges that Greenpeace defamed the company to its financial backers.—
Jennifer Safstrom,
The Conversation,
11 Mar. 2025
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While some travelers may view passing through the security line as a nuisance, TSA plays a critical role in the safety of traveling throughout the U.S. – and their work expands far beyond airports.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA TODAY,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Foley continued, again joking about the 1985 film Cocoon, about a group of seniors who become energized with youth after an encounter with aliens.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
14 Mar. 2025
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Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk joked about actor Jesse Eisenberg undergoing military training after the film star was approved for Poland citizenship last week.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The big picture: The new policy marks yet another escalation in the friction between the U.S. and its northern neighbors, as President Trump pushes an on-again, off-again trade war with Canada and taunts the U.S. ally with annexation.—
Jessica Boehm,
Axios,
14 Mar. 2025
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When ejections take place, more yelling and taunting ensues.—
Arthur Daemmrich,
The Conversation,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Curiosity gets the best of Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan in the first official teaser trailer for Freakier Friday.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
14 Mar. 2025
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In just a few weeks after release, the film’s teaser trailer garnered over 35 million views.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Even many non-conservatives believe Newsom seems to treat the governor’s job as an annoyance that gets in the way of more important business.—
Steven Greenhut,
Orange County Register,
16 Mar. 2025
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In a 2023 survey of more than 1,500 travelers by Only Wanderlust, chatty seat neighbors were identified as a top 20 airplane annoyance.—
Zach Wichter,
USA TODAY,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Starting today, February 12, 2025, Android customers can watch Apple TV+ on their mobile devices — phones, tablets, and foldables, whatever those are (just kidding, this is what those are).—
Tony Maglio,
IndieWire,
12 Feb. 2025
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Finally, Mack’s precocious 11-year-old daughter Opal (Norah Murphy) is more in tune with adults than kids her age.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Residents of Independence towers unionized with KC Tenants in May after the building’s hot water system was down for two weeks, following months of serious plumbing, heating and cooling, and pest control issues.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
19 Mar. 2025
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Attach photos for inquiries about plant pests or diseases.—
Barbara Robertson,
The Mercury News,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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So begins an elaborate plot to infiltrate a graphic designer awards event to confront his tormentor head-on.—
Eric Berger,
Ars Technica,
14 Feb. 2025
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Scarcity of food and clean water have become merciless tormentors, and the numbers tell a story that words cannot fully convey.—
Daphne Ewing-Chow,
Forbes,
5 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tease. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
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