TAUNT Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'taunt' distinct from other similar verbs?

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

Q: When could 'deride' be used to replace 'taunt'?

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

Q: When would 'mock' be a good substitute for 'taunt'?

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

Q: In what contexts can 'ridicule' take the place of 'taunt'?

The synonyms ridicule and taunt are sometimes interchangeable, but ridicule implies a deliberate often malicious belittling. // consistently ridiculed everything she said

taunt 1 of 2

verb

ˈtȯnt

Definition of taunt next

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

taunt

2 of 2

noun

as in jeer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word taunt distinct from other similar verbs?

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

When could deride be used to replace taunt?

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

When would mock be a good substitute for taunt?

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

In what contexts can ridicule take the place of taunt?

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

consistently ridiculed everything she said

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of taunt

Verb

Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield taunted the hearty souls that attended Sunday’s game by mocking DeVito’s touchdown celebration after scrambling for a score to give Tampa a 23-0 lead in the second quarter. —

Dan Duggan, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024 Bait dogs are exposed to the fighting dogs in attempts to build aggression/taunt the dogs used in fights. —

Kelli Bender, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024

Noun

Perez even redirected the aim of her dance to double down on the taunt. —

Brian Mazique, Forbes, 28 Sep. 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for taunt

Recent Examples of Synonyms for taunt

Verb

Parker previously teased what's to come on Instagram in early May by showing two scripts from a table read along with a place card for her character.

Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 12 Dec. 2024
Courtesy of Google At last year’s Google I/O, Google teased smart glasses that could caption real-world conversations, a feature that's helpful for people with hearing loss.

Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 12 Dec. 2024