What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Disturb vs Tantalize - What's the difference?

disturb | tantalize | Related terms |

Disturb is a related term of tantalize.


In lang=en terms the difference between disturb and tantalize

is that disturb is to have a negative emotional impact; to cause emotional distress or confusion while tantalize is to bait (someone) by showing something desirable but leaving them unsatisfied.

As verbs the difference between disturb and tantalize

is that disturb is to confuse a quiet, constant state or a calm, continuous flow, in particular: thoughts, actions or liquids while tantalize is to tease (someone) by offering something desirable but keeping it out of reach.

As a noun disturb

is (obsolete) disturbance.

disturb

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • to confuse a quiet, constant state or a calm, continuous flow, in particular: thoughts, actions or liquids.
    • The noisy ventilation disturbed me during the exam.
    The performance was disturbed twice by a ringing mobile phone.
    A school of fish disturbed the water.
  • to divert, redirect, or alter by disturbing.
    • A mudslide disturbed the course of the river.
    The trauma disturbed his mind.
  • * Milton
    • disturb his inmost counsels from their destined aim
  • to have a negative emotional impact; to cause emotional distress or confusion.
    • A disturbing film that tries to explore the mind of a serial killer.
    His behaviour is very disturbing .

    Derived terms

    * disturbance

    Noun

  • (obsolete) disturbance
    • (Milton)

    tantalize

    English

    Verb

    (tantaliz)
  • to tease (someone) by offering something desirable but keeping it out of reach
  • to bait (someone) by showing something desirable but leaving them unsatisfied

    • Quotations

    * 1880 — *: They could not bear to be tantalized nor tortured by the splendid delusion. * 1884 — , section 22 *: All pleasures palled upon me; all sights tantalized and tempted me to outspoken treason, because I could not but compare what I saw in Two Dimensions with what it really was if seen in Three, and could hardly refrain from making my comparisons aloud. * 1895 — , Ch. XV *: He had been possessed of much fear of his friend, for he saw how easily questionings could make holes in his feelings. Lately, he had assured himself that the altered comrade would not tantalize him with a persistent curiosity, but he felt certain that during the first period of leisure his friend would ask him to relate his adventures of the previous day. * *: “It was—simply amazing,” she repeated abstractedly. “But I swore I wouldn’t tell it and here I am tantalizing you.” * 1936 — , Ch. IX *: As we threaded our dim way through the labyrinth with the aid of map and compass ... we were repeatedly tantalized by the sculptured walls along our route. ... If we had had more films, we would certainly have paused briefly to photograph certain bas-reliefs, but time-consuming hand-copying was clearly out of the question.

    Related terms

    * tantalizing