/fæˈtweɪt/ or /fæˈtweɪt/ or /fæˈtoʊteɪt/ (US) or /fæˈtweɪt/ (UK)

Definitions

1. verb

To tease or make fun of someone, often in a way that is meant to be playful but can be annoying.

“She was trying to fatuate her little brother by making funny faces at him during dinner.”

2. verb

To tease or tantalize someone with something that is just out of reach, often in a way that is frustrating.

“The teasing weather forecast was fatuating the people waiting for the summer to arrive.”

3. verb

To tease or tantalize someone with something that is just out of reach, often in a way that is frustrating, especially in the context of a promise or expectation.

“The government’s repeated promises to address the economic crisis were fatuating the public, who felt they were being teased with false hope.”