Teasing Definition and Meaning
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Published on April 2, 2024
Teasing is the act of making fun of or provoking someone in a playful or unkind way. e.g., The older siblings spent the afternoon teasing their younger brother about his new haircut.
Table of Contents
Teasing Definitions
Provoking or annoying someone gently.
She couldn't resist teasing her friend about his fear of spiders.
Making fun of someone playfully.
His teasing about her cooking skills was all in good humor.
Stimulating interest or curiosity.
The movie trailer was teasing the audience with hints about the plot.
An act of pretend rejection or denial.
She kept teasing him by pretending not to accept his apology.
Light-hearted mocking or ridicule.
Their teasing remarks about his singing voice made him laugh.
Coaxing or persuading someone by teasing.
He was teasing her into revealing her secret.
A way to provoke thought or reaction.
The teacher's teasing question challenged the students to think deeper.
To make fun of (someone) playfully or taunt annoyingly
Was teased by my classmates for being skinny.
Teased him about driving such a fast car.
To say in a playful or mocking way
"But you're too young to get married," he teased.
To provoke or irritate, as with physical movements
Teased the cat by dangling a string in its face.
To arouse sexual desire in (someone) deliberately with no intention of having sex.
To urge persistently; coax
Teased their mother to let them stay up late.
To disentangle and dress the fibers of (wool, for example).
To ruffle (the hair) by combing from the ends toward the scalp for an airy, full effect.
To raise the nap of (cloth) by dressing, as with a fuller's teasel.
To cut (tissue, for example) into pieces for examination.
To extract, identify, or cause to come about. Used with out
The director teased a good performance out of the actors. The researcher teased out the factors involved in the disease.
To annoy or make fun of someone persistently
I was just teasing.
An act of teasing, especially a playfully mocking remark
His tease of his friend's little sister.
A person who makes fun of or annoys others, as with playful or taunting remarks.
A flirtatious person.
Present participle of tease
The act of teasing; making fun of or making light of.
Teasing can be seen as a kind of workplace abuse.
The act of harassing someone playfully or maliciously (especially by ridicule); provoking someone with persistent annoyances;
He ignored their teases
His ribbing was gentle but persistent
Playful vexation;
The parody was just a form of teasing
The act of removing tangles from you hair with a comb
Playfully vexing (especially by ridicule);
His face wore a somewhat quizzical almost impertinent air
Arousing sexual desire without intending to satisfy it;
Her lazy teasing smile
Causing irritation or annoyance;
Tapping an annoying rhythm on his glass with his fork
Aircraft noise is particularly bothersome near the airport
Found it galling to have to ask permission
An irritating delay
Nettlesome paperwork
A pesky mosquito
Swarms of pestering gnats
A plaguey newfangled safety catch
A teasing and persistent thought annoyed him
A vexatious child
It is vexing to have to admit you are wrong
Playful or flirtatious interaction.
Their teasing banter was a sign of their deep friendship.
A method of social interaction among peers.
Teasing is often a part of the dynamics within a group of friends.
Gentle and affectionate provocation.
Their grandmother's teasing was always filled with love and warmth.
Teasing Snonyms
Taunting
Provoking or teasing with the intent to insult.
Despite the taunting from his rivals, he remained focused.
Razzing
Making fun of someone in a playful way.
The audience was razzing the comedian, who took it in stride.
Mocking
Showing contempt or ridicule.
His mocking tone made it clear he didn't believe her story.
Jesting
Speaking or acting in a joking manner.
Even when jesting, he always maintained a level of respect.
Joking
Saying something for amusement or to provoke laughter.
He was only joking when he said he'd quit his job.
Ribbing
Teasing someone in a joking manner.
The team enjoyed ribbing the coach about his old-fashioned strategies.
Chaffing
Teasing lightly.
They spent the evening chaffing each other about their golf skills.
Badgering
Persistently teasing or annoying someone.
She kept badgering him for details about his new project.
Kidding
Informally teasing or joking with someone.
Are you kidding me with that outrageous claim?
Bantering
Exchanging light, playful, teasing remarks.
Their bantering was a highlight of the dinner party.
Teasing Idioms & Phrases
Just teasing
A phrase used to indicate that one's previous remarks were made in jest.
Don't be upset; I was just teasing!
Teasing Example Sentences
The children spent the morning teasing each other in the park.
She found his constant teasing annoying rather than funny.
Teasing can sometimes hurt people's feelings if it goes too far.
He got a taste of his own medicine when they started teasing him back.
The movie's ending left viewers teasing out the meaning for days.
She apologized after realizing her teasing had upset her friend.
He enjoys teasing his cat with a laser pointer.
The siblings' teasing rivalry was legendary in their family.
Her way of teasing her friends always makes them laugh.
In their group, teasing was a way of showing closeness.
The puppy was teasing the older dog with its playful antics.
Their teasing was a sign of affection, not malice.
His teasing smile hinted at the surprise he had planned.
Teasing out the truth from the story required patience.
Despite the teasing, they all respected each other deeply.
Common Curiosities
How do we divide teasing into syllables?
Teasing is divided into syllables as "teas-ing."
Why is it called teasing?
Teasing is called so because it involves playful or mocking behavior that lightly provokes or annoys someone in a humorous or affectionate manner.
How is teasing used in a sentence?
Teasing can be used in a sentence to describe the act of making fun of someone in a playful or affectionate way, e.g., He couldn't stop teasing his sister about her new haircut.
What is the verb form of teasing?
The verb form of "teasing" is "tease."
What is the pronunciation of teasing?
Teasing is pronounced as /ˈtiːzɪŋ/.
What is the singular form of teasing?
The singular form of "teasing" is "tease" when referring to the act.
How many syllables are in teasing?
There are two syllables in "teasing."
What is a stressed syllable in teasing?
The stressed syllable in "teasing" is the first syllable: "teas-."
What is the root word of teasing?
The root word of "teasing" is "tease."
What is the first form of teasing?
The first form (base form) of "teasing" is "tease."
What part of speech is teasing?
"Teasing" is a noun when referring to the act, and it is also the present participle of the verb "tease."
What is another term for teasing?
Another term for teasing is "mocking."
Is the "teasing" term a metaphor?
Teasing itself is not a metaphor, but it can be used metaphorically in certain contexts.
Is the word "teasing" imperative?
No, "teasing" is not imperative. It is a form of the verb "tease" or a noun.
Is the word “teasing” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Teasing" can be the direct object of a verb, e.g., "She dislikes teasing."
What is the second form of teasing?
The second form (past tense) of "tease" is "teased."
What is the opposite of teasing?
The opposite of teasing might be "praising" or "complimenting."
Is teasing a negative or positive word?
Teasing can be either negative or positive, depending on the context and the manner in which it is done.
Is teasing a vowel or consonant?
The word "teasing" begins with a consonant sound.
What is the third form of teasing?
The third form (past participle) of "tease" is "teased."
Is teasing an abstract noun?
Yes, when "teasing" refers to the concept or act of teasing, it is an abstract noun.
Is the word "teasing" Gerund?
Yes, when "teasing" is used as a noun derived from the verb "tease," it functions as a gerund.
Which conjunction is used with teasing?
Conjunctions such as "and" or "but" can connect clauses involving "teasing," depending on the sentence structure.
Is teasing a noun or adjective?
"Teasing" can be a noun (referring to the act of teasing) or an adjective (describing a manner of behavior, e.g., "a teasing smile").
Is teasing an adverb?
No, "teasing" is not an adverb.
Is teasing a countable noun?
No, "teasing" as a noun referring to the act is not countable.
What is the plural form of teasing?
"Teasing" does not have a plural form when used as a noun; it refers to the act or behavior of tease. As a verb, its plural forms relate to the subject (e.g., "They are teasing").
Is teasing a collective noun?
No, "teasing" is not a collective noun.
Which determiner is used with teasing?
Determiners like "the," "some," or possessive pronouns can be used with "teasing," depending on the sentence.
Which vowel is used before teasing?
The vowel used before "teasing" depends on the article or preposition, e.g., "a" as in "a teasing remark."
Which preposition is used with teasing?
Prepositions like "about" or "for" can be used with "teasing," depending on the context, e.g., "teasing about something."
Which article is used with teasing?
The definite article "the" or the indefinite article "a" can be used with "teasing," depending on the context.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
