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

The killers stuffed the playing card, with a club suit that looked like a plum blossom, down her back along with a note written in Chinese, saying her family failed to pay the ransom and taunting cops to find them. —John Annese, New York Daily News, 14 Dec. 2024

Even after he was sanctioned by the U.S., Matveev appeared to taunt U.S. law enforcement, posting a picture of his wanted poster on a t-shirt. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2024

Noun

Now, on the telephone, these three men agreed that such words were not just a mockery, but a taunt. —Tom Mullen, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024

Reese’s taunt toward Clark sparked the rivalry, which only grew further after Iowa topped LSU in the tournament last season. —Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 17 Oct. 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