Synonyms of taunt

taunt 1 of 2

verb

ˈtȯnt 

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

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

taunt

2 of 2

noun

as in jeer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• compliment
• praise
• commendation
• applause
• acclaim
• flattery
• accolade
• adulation

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of taunt

Verb

The social media war shifted when Lyles taunted Hill after winning the 60-meter race at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix earlier this month. —Paulina Dedaj, Fox News, 15 Feb. 2025

Investigators said that before he was arrested, Tabler called the Bell County Sheriff’s Office to taunt deputies about the murders and threatened to kill more employees and undercover law enforcement at the strip club. —Jim Vertuno and Michael Graczyk, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025

Noun

Playful taunts after a Livingstone player missed two free throws ... that can’t be repeated in a family-friendly newspaper. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 22 Jan. 2025

Here's what could happen this week: Stevenson is fined: Stevenson could be fined by the league for his taunts, but also by the Bears for his lack of focus on the final play. —Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 28 Oct. 2024