tease
noun
1. someone given to teasing (as by mocking or stirring curiosity)
Similar word(s): annoyer, teaser, vexer
Definition categories: person
2. a seductive woman who uses her sex appeal to exploit men
Similar word(s): coquette, flirt, minx, prickteaser, vamp, vamper
Definition categories: person, woman
3. the act of harassing someone playfully or maliciously (especially by ridicule); provoking someone with persistent annoyances
- he ignored their teases
Similar word(s): ribbing, tantalization, teasing
Definition categories: act, harassment, molestation
verb
1. annoy persistently
- The children teased the boy because of his stammer
Similar word(s): badger, beleaguer, bug, pester
Definition categories: emotion, bedevil, crucify, dun, frustrate, rag, torment
2. harass with persistent criticism or carping
- The children teased the new teacher
Similar word(s): bait, cod, rag, rally, razz, ride, tantalise, tantalize, taunt, twit
Definition categories: communication, bemock, mock
3. to arouse hope, desire, or curiosity without satisfying them
- The advertisement is intended to tease the customers
Definition categories: emotion, control, manipulate
4. tear into pieces
- tease tissue for microscopic examinations
Definition categories: contact, shred
5. raise the nap of (fabrics)
Definition categories: contact
6. disentangle and raise the fibers of
- tease out the curls
Similar word(s): loosen
Definition categories: contact, disentangle, unsnarl
7. separate the fibers of
- tease wool
Similar word(s): card
Definition categories: contact, separate
8. mock or make fun of playfully
- the flirting man teased the young woman
Definition categories: communication, blackguard, guy, rib, ridicule, roast
9. ruffle (one's hair) by combing the ends towards the scalp, for a full effect
Similar word(s): fluff
Definition categories: body, comb, disentangle