taunt

1 of 2

verb

ˈtȯnt

ˈtänt

taunted; taunting; taunts

transitive verb

: to reproach or challenge in a mocking or insulting manner : jeer at

taunter noun

tauntingly

ˈtȯn-tiŋ-lē How to pronounce taunt (audio)

ˈtän-

adverb

taunt

2 of 2

noun

: a sarcastic challenge or insult

Did you know?

Taunt vs. Taut

Taunt and taut may easily be confused. The words are similar in spelling and pronunciation, though the resemblance does not extent to their syntax or meanings. Taut is an adjective that is most often used to refer to something that is pulled tight, like "a taut rope," or is bulging or filled to capacity, like "taut muscles." Taunt is a noun and a verb that refers to teasing or making fun of a person. That the two words sound similar creates confusion, and taunt, being the more common word, is sometimes substituted for taut. You can remember the difference between the two by remembering that tight and taut both lack the n of taunt.

Example Sentences

Verb The boys continually taunted each other.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Ukrainian officials continued to taunt Russia over the incident Thursday, suggesting more could follow.

James Marson, WSJ, 11 Aug. 2022 After the eighth inning, Cabrera pointed at the scoreboard and signaled to the crowd to quiet their negative reaction, and while most fans listened to the Tigers great, some continued to taunt Boone and the Yankees.

Evan Petzold, USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2022 After the eighth inning, Cabrera pointed at the scoreboard and signaled to the crowd to quiet their negative reaction, and while most fans listened to the Tigers great, some continued to taunt Boone and the Yankees.

Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 21 Apr. 2022 Miller, who has not yet responded publicly or in court to the allegations, deleted their Instagram account earlier this week, but not before reportedly posting a series of memes that seemed to taunt authorities.

Christian Holub, EW.com, 16 June 2022 The Estonian sophomore is the cocky and feisty sort who can drive opponents crazy, taunt their fans and question game officials.

Tim Bielik, cleveland, 24 Mar. 2022 George and Martha proceed to taunt and prod each other in front of the unwitting young people.

Jessica Geltstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2022 In one scene, Anna asks Matthias if he’s ever been called by the derogatory name that children have been using to taunt and hurt her.

Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2022

Noun

In both cases, the apparent intention was to refer to someone who appears to be out of control/not able to control their actions, employing it as colloquial slang that has long been used as a playground taunt.

Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 4 Aug. 2022 With each needling tweet and public taunt, Mr. Musk has eroded trust in the social media company, walloped employee morale, spooked potential advertisers, emphasized its financial difficulties and spread misinformation about how Twitter operates.

New York Times, 11 July 2022 The taunt comparing Crenshaw to the late Senator John McCain originated from Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

Shannon Larson, BostonGlobe.com, 20 June 2022 Pritchard then put one hand near the floor, a common N.B.A. taunt to signify that a defender is too small to guard the taunter.

New York Times, 4 June 2022 The Facebook image with the anti-Biden taunt has been altered.

Nayeli Lomeli, USA TODAY, 6 Nov. 2016 That private fear becomes a public taunt in Amsterdam, when the rapper is greeted by a horde of people in blackface.

Nicole Acheampong, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2022 The Kremlin and its press organs airbrushed the taunt out of the official transcripts.

The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2022 On the beach, two alpha males tussled, one using his chest and large, trunklike nose (hence the name elephant seal) to push away a rival, while adding a final rumbling growl to intimidate — or maybe just taunt — the loser.

Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2022 See More

taunt 1 of 2

verb

as in to tease

to attack repeatedly with mean put-downs or insults the principal reminded the student athletes that taunting their opponents was not showing good sportsmanship

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

tease
mock
annoy
ridicule
bait
bother
heckle
torture
irritate
ride
jeer
pick on
plague
needle
deride
hassle
haze
harass
try
trouble
gibe
bully
goad
jibe
torment
irk
rile
spite
vex
test
pester
nag
exasperate
aggravate
disturb
peeve
badger
persecute
gripe
grate
itch
frost
bug
ruffle
make game of
terrorize
agitate
gall
chafe
pique
discomfort
fret
hound
bedevil
perturb
browbeat
dog
put out
nark
rasp
nettle
get
aggrieve
hector
harry
gnaw (at)
beleaguer
burn (up)
hagride
hack (off)

taunt

2 of 2

noun

as in jeer

Synonyms & Similar Words

jeer
sneer
mock
insult
jibe
gibe
quip
affront
slap
barb
catcall
slur
diss
slight
dart
sarcasm
outrage
poke
abuse
indignity
invective
epithet
gird
vituperation
disapproval
dig
dis
brickbat
attack
put-down
name
offence
criticism
dishonor
offense
cut
shame
swipe
personality
disgrace
torment
opprobrium
knock
torture
slam

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

compliment
praise
commendation
applause
acclaim
flattery
accolade
adulation

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of taunt are deride, mock, and ridicule. While all these words mean "to make an object of laughter of," taunt suggests jeeringly provoking insult or challenge.

hometown fans taunted the visiting team

The words deride and taunt are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deride suggests contemptuous and often bitter ridicule.

derided their efforts to start their own business

Although the words mock and taunt have much in common, mock implies scorn often ironically expressed as by mimicry or sham deference.

youngsters began to mock the helpless wino

The synonyms ridicule and taunt are sometimes interchangeable, but ridicule implies a deliberate often malicious belittling.

consistently ridiculed everything she said

单词	taunt
释义	taunt 1 of 2 verb ˈtȯnt ˈtänt taunted; taunting; taunts transitive verb : to reproach or challenge in a mocking or insulting manner : jeer at taunter noun tauntingly ˈtȯn-tiŋ-lē ˈtän- adverb taunt 2 of 2 noun : a sarcastic challenge or insult Did you know? Taunt vs. Taut Taunt and taut may easily be confused. The words are similar in spelling and pronunciation, though the resemblance does not extent to their syntax or meanings. Taut is an adjective that is most often used to refer to something that is pulled tight, like "a taut rope," or is bulging or filled to capacity, like "taut muscles." Taunt is a noun and a verb that refers to teasing or making fun of a person. That the two words sound similar creates confusion, and taunt, being the more common word, is sometimes substituted for taut. You can remember the difference between the two by remembering that tight and taut both lack the n of taunt. Synonyms Verb bait hassle haze heckle needle ride tease See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Verb The boys continually taunted each other. Recent Examples on the Web Verb Ukrainian officials continued to taunt Russia over the incident Thursday, suggesting more could follow. James Marson, WSJ, 11 Aug. 2022 After the eighth inning, Cabrera pointed at the scoreboard and signaled to the crowd to quiet their negative reaction, and while most fans listened to the Tigers great, some continued to taunt Boone and the Yankees. Evan Petzold, USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2022 After the eighth inning, Cabrera pointed at the scoreboard and signaled to the crowd to quiet their negative reaction, and while most fans listened to the Tigers great, some continued to taunt Boone and the Yankees. Evan Petzold, USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2022 After the eighth inning, Cabrera pointed at the scoreboard and signaled to the crowd to quiet their negative reaction, and while most fans listened to the Tigers great, some continued to taunt Boone and the Yankees. Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 21 Apr. 2022 Miller, who has not yet responded publicly or in court to the allegations, deleted their Instagram account earlier this week, but not before reportedly posting a series of memes that seemed to taunt authorities. Christian Holub, EW.com, 16 June 2022 The Estonian sophomore is the cocky and feisty sort who can drive opponents crazy, taunt their fans and question game officials. Tim Bielik, cleveland, 24 Mar. 2022 George and Martha proceed to taunt and prod each other in front of the unwitting young people. Jessica Geltstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2022 In one scene, Anna asks Matthias if he’s ever been called by the derogatory name that children have been using to taunt and hurt her. Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2022 Noun In both cases, the apparent intention was to refer to someone who appears to be out of control/not able to control their actions, employing it as colloquial slang that has long been used as a playground taunt. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 4 Aug. 2022 With each needling tweet and public taunt, Mr. Musk has eroded trust in the social media company, walloped employee morale, spooked potential advertisers, emphasized its financial difficulties and spread misinformation about how Twitter operates. New York Times, 11 July 2022 The taunt comparing Crenshaw to the late Senator John McCain originated from Fox News host Tucker Carlson. Shannon Larson, BostonGlobe.com, 20 June 2022 Pritchard then put one hand near the floor, a common N.B.A. taunt to signify that a defender is too small to guard the taunter. New York Times, 4 June 2022 The Facebook image with the anti-Biden taunt has been altered. Nayeli Lomeli, USA TODAY, 6 Nov. 2016 That private fear becomes a public taunt in Amsterdam, when the rapper is greeted by a horde of people in blackface. Nicole Acheampong, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2022 The Kremlin and its press organs airbrushed the taunt out of the official transcripts. The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2022 On the beach, two alpha males tussled, one using his chest and large, trunklike nose (hence the name elephant seal) to push away a rival, while adding a final rumbling growl to intimidate — or maybe just taunt — the loser. Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Verb perhaps from Middle French tenter to try, tempt — more at tempt First Known Use Verb 1539, in the meaning defined above Noun circa 1527, in the meaning defined above Kids Definition taunt 1 of 2 noun ˈtȯnt : a mean insulting remark taunt 2 of 2 verb taunted; taunting : to make fun of or say insulting things to taunt 1 of 2 verb as in to tease to attack repeatedly with mean put-downs or insults the principal reminded the student athletes that taunting their opponents was not showing good sportsmanship Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance tease mock annoy ridicule bait bother heckle torture irritate ride jeer pick on plague needle deride hassle haze harass try trouble gibe bully goad jibe torment irk rile spite vex test pester nag exasperate aggravate disturb peeve badger persecute gripe grate itch frost bug ruffle make game of terrorize agitate gall chafe pique discomfort fret hound bedevil perturb browbeat dog put out nark rasp nettle get aggrieve hector harry gnaw (at) beleaguer burn (up) hagride hack (off) taunt 2 of 2 noun as in jeer Synonyms & Similar Words jeer sneer mock insult jibe gibe quip affront slap barb catcall slur diss slight dart sarcasm outrage poke abuse indignity invective epithet gird vituperation disapproval dig dis brickbat attack put-down name offence criticism dishonor offense cut shame swipe personality disgrace torment opprobrium knock torture slam Antonyms & Near Antonyms compliment praise commendation applause acclaim flattery accolade adulation See More Synonym Chooser Some common synonyms of taunt are deride, mock, and ridicule. While all these words mean "to make an object of laughter of," taunt suggests jeeringly provoking insult or challenge. hometown fans taunted the visiting team The words deride and taunt are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deride suggests contemptuous and often bitter ridicule. derided their efforts to start their own business Although the words mock and taunt have much in common, mock implies scorn often ironically expressed as by mimicry or sham deference. youngsters began to mock the helpless wino The synonyms ridicule and taunt are sometimes interchangeable, but ridicule implies a deliberate often malicious belittling. consistently ridiculed everything she said
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taunt

verb

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

noun

verb

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser