the act of harassing someone playfully or maliciously (especially by ridicule); provoking someone with persistent annoyances - he ignored their teases - his ribbing was gentle but persistent • Syn: tease, teasing, ribbing • Derivationally related forms: tantalize, rib (for: ribbing), tease (for: teasing), tease (for: tease) • Hypernyms: harassment, molestation