tease 1 of 2

noun

Definition of teasenext
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

tease

2 of 2

verb

ˈtēz How to pronounce tease (audio)
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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb tease contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of tease are annoy, harass, harry, pester, plague, and worry. While all these words mean "to disturb or irritate by persistent acts," tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath.

children teased the dog

In what contexts can annoy take the place of tease?

While in some cases nearly identical to tease, annoy implies disturbing one's composure or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty attacks.

you're doing that just to annoy me

When would harass be a good substitute for tease?

In some situations, the words harass and tease are roughly equivalent. However, harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one's nervous or mental power.

harassed on all sides by creditors

When can harry be used instead of tease?

Although the words harry and tease have much in common, harry may imply heavy oppression or maltreatment.

the strikers had been harried by thugs

Where would pester be a reasonable alternative to tease?

The synonyms pester and tease are sometimes interchangeable, but pester stresses the repetition of petty attacks.

constantly pestered with trivial complaints

When might plague be a better fit than tease?

The words plague and tease can be used in similar contexts, but plague implies a painful and persistent affliction.

plagued all her life by poverty

When is it sensible to use worry instead of tease?

The words worry and tease are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, worry implies an incessant goading or attacking that drives one to desperation.

pursued a policy of worrying the enemy

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tease
Noun
The federal investigation that led to Steve McBee pleading guilty to a major felony last fall won’t be ignored in the coming episodes, unless the trailer was just a big tease. —Mike Hendricks july 6, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2025 The tease comes just weeks before the Evolution 2 Premium Live Event. —Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
Verb
McDonald's officials are only teasing the collab so far. —Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 31 July 2025 Starbucks also teased new menu items coming in fiscal 2026, including protein cold foam and improved food options. —Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 30 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for tease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tease
  1. nuisance
  2. joke
  3. taunt
  4. teaser
  5. annoyance
  6. kid
  7. pest
  8. tormentor
Noun
  • Last month, Los Angeles city officials declared these properties a public nuisance because of their failure to take action to clean up debris.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
  • The cicadas swarming in and around Cincinnati can be a nuisance.
    — Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Definition of nuisance
Verb
  • The episode also mentioned the controversy over the ongoing fallout over the Jeffrey Epstein list and joked about CBS and Paramount recent announcement that Stephen Colbert's Late Show is to be cancelled.
    — Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
  • The Coldplay camera video has been joked about by other artists, including Liam Gallagher who said cheaters would be safe at Oasis’ shows.
    — Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 25 July 2025
Definition of joke
Verb
  • Since stepping down as president in 2012 to allow Putin to return to the post, Medvedev has transformed himself from a relatively liberal technocrat into an uber-nationalist, taunting Russia’s adversaries with provocative social media posts.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2025
  • This has not remained without challenges as the responsibility of the West to lead diplomatic resolutions with arms control agreements has been tested by Russia, refused by China, and taunted by Iran in developing destabilizing uranium-enrichment facilities.
    — Brooke Taylor, Boston Herald, 24 July 2025
Definition of taunt
Noun
  • After screening a new Gen V season 2 trailer packed with The Boys crossovers and some new casting, Amazon's Comic-Con panel in Ballroom 20 on Friday afternoon left one major reveal for the very end: the first teaser trailer for the fifth and final season of the mothership series.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 26 July 2025
  • The teaser comes after Bravo confirmed in November that a new cast would be joining SUR and TomTom owner Vanderpump, 64, for season 12.
    — Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 25 July 2025
Definition of teaser
Noun
  • Most concerning: The Royals’ lineup is far past the point of frustration and teetering toward pure annoyance for those at The K. Here is how Saturday’s scenario played out.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 13 July 2025
  • Don’t think, just play Despite its minor annoyances, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 lives up to the hype and should be a day-one treat for gamers worldwide.
    — Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Definition of annoyance
Verb
  • For the most part, though, these tools have been aimed at parents or educators, not kids themselves.
    — Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 14 July 2025
  • Apparently Brooks Nader wasn’t kidding about that, because on July 8 she was spotted freeing the nipple in a sheer black top on a dinner date with friend Lauren Sanchez in Paris, per photos published by the Daily Mail.
    — Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 9 July 2025
Definition of kid
Noun
  • This wound is an access point for pests and diseases.
    — Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 July 2025
  • Attach photos for inquiries about plant pests or diseases.
    — James Campbell, Mercury News, 28 July 2025
Definition of pest
Noun
  • Chicago Cubs outfielder Hack Wilson, irked at the bench jockeying by Cincinnati Reds pitcher Ray Kolp, jumped into the Cincinnati dugout, seeking to punch his tormentor.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2025
  • No other cast is listed, but the show’s 2014 iteration was loaded with guest stars, including Seth Rogen (as himself, playing Valerie’s former tormentor, Paulie G.) and Malin Åkerman, appearing as her character from Season 1.
    — Kate Aurthur, Variety, 27 June 2025
Definition of tormentor

Browse Nearby Words

teas
tease
teased
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Cite this Entry

“Tease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tease. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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