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

Choose the Right Synonym for taunt

ridicule, deride, mock, taunt mean to make an object of laughter of.

ridicule implies a deliberate often malicious belittling.

consistently ridiculed everything she said

deride suggests contemptuous and often bitter ridicule.

derided their efforts to start their own business

mock implies scorn often ironically expressed as by mimicry or sham deference.

the other kids mocked the way he laughed

taunt suggests jeeringly provoking insult or challenge.

hometown fans taunted the visiting team

Examples of taunt in a Sentence

Verb

The boys continually taunted each other.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Franklin also made a dumb decision by confronting a taunting fan on his way to the locker room instead of ignoring the noise, as players are taught to do. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2024

His incarceration doesn’t last long, though, because a taunting serial killer spurs a prison break. —Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 2 Nov. 2024

Noun

Between the lines: Trump and Obama loathe each other, and the attacks between them veer into race-baiting and schoolyard taunts. —Alex Thompson, Axios, 1 Nov. 2024

Perez also hit her opponent with the disrespectful twerk taunt following the finish. —Brian Mazique, Forbes, 28 Sep. 2024

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

verb

ˈtȯnt,

ˈtänt

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

taunt noun

taunter noun

tauntingly

-iŋ-lē

adverb