tease

About 1.41 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. verb To separate the fibres of (a fibrous material).
2. verb To comb (originally with teasels) so that the fibres all lie in one direction.
3. verb To backcomb.
4. verb To poke fun at, either cruelly or affectionately in a playful way.
5. verb To provoke or disturb; to annoy.
6. verb To manipulate or influence the behavior of, especially by repeated acts of irritation.
7. verb To entice, tempt.
8. verb To deliberately arouse someone sexually with no intention of satisfying that arousal.

Similar words

flirt loosen beleaguer rag harass pester annoyer taunt twit teaser

Often followed by

him out her me the and you them apart

Word family

teased teases teasing teasingly