taunt

¹

[ tawnt, tahnt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to reproach in a sarcastic, insulting, or jeering manner; mock.

   Synonyms: insult, flout, upbraid, censure

2. to provoke by taunts; twit.

   Synonyms: jeer

noun

1. an insulting gibe or sarcasm; scornful reproach or challenge.

   Synonyms: ridicule, censure, derision, insult, scoff

2. Obsolete. an object of insulting gibes or scornful reproaches.

taunt

²

[ tawnt, tahnt ]

adjective

, Nautical.

1. tall, as a mast.

taunt

¹

/ tɔːnt /

verb

1. to provoke or deride with mockery, contempt, or criticism
2. to tease; tantalize

noun

1. a jeering remark
2. archaic.
   the object of mockery

taunt

²

/ tɔːnt /

adjective

1. nautical (of the mast or masts of a sailing vessel) unusually tall

Derived Forms

• ˈtaunter, noun
• ˈtaunting, adjective
• ˈtauntingly, adverb

Other Words From

• taunt·er noun
• un·taunt·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of taunt¹

First recorded in 1505–15; origin uncertain

Origin of taunt²

First recorded in 1490–1500; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of taunt¹

C16: from French phrase tant pour tant like for like, rejoinder

Origin of taunt²

C15: of uncertain origin

Synonym Study

See ridicule.

Example Sentences

Zardoya playfully alluded to the topicality of “Submarine” on “No One Noticed,” where she gently taunted the crowd, “If you want your ex back, sing it.”

From Los Angeles Times

It mirrored an experience last year when teenagers, again taunting me, rode off shouting “Timmy is going to run us over.”

From BBC

But most on the right just gave it up, happy to accept the results and move on to taunting those who lost fair and square.

From Salon

"You are taunted and with phones held up, filming you by groups of youth sometimes and that can really affect you."

From BBC

But as the boos from the sellout crowd of 87,453 serenaded the Cornhuskers, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the play on Oladejo for taunting gave Nebraska a first down.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• deride
• insult
• jeer
• mock
• offend
• ridicule
• torment