Definition of "titillate" [tit•il•late]

• To stimulate by touching lightly; tickle. (verb-transitive)
• To excite (another) pleasurably, superficially or erotically. (verb-transitive)
• To excite another, especially in a superficial, pleasurable manner: "Once you decide to titillate instead of illuminate . . . you create a climate of expectation that requires a higher and higher level of intensity” ( Bill Moyers). (verb-intransitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "That they are deliberately intended to excite and titillate is shown by one new series -- Kozy Books -- which with such titles as Tormented Passions and Sins of Flesh invites the reader to Cozy up with the Kozy Book."
• "In her schoolmarm voice, Kelly accused Lange of simply trying to "titillate" to send the PETA message."
• "And just think … now they don't have to stray to other profoundly serious world and U.S. events … they can "titillate" with one lazy, damn scary (for me) story."