Tantalise is a synonym for the term tease, torment. It is an action that involves provoking someone in a playful or mocking way, often with the intention of getting a reaction. It can also involve making fun of someone in a lighthearted manner. The term is derived from the Greek mythological figure, Tantalus, who was punished by the gods for his misdeeds by being placed in a pool of water with fruit hanging above him, but he could never reach it. This is symbolic of the act of tantalising someone, as it involves teasing them with something they cannot have.