taunting

[ tawn-ting, tahn- ]

adjective

1. reproaching or challenging someone in a sarcastic, insulting, or scornful way:

   The Times obtained copies of his emails, which our reviewer found unquestionably harassing, with a taunting quality to them.

noun

1. the act or an instance of reproaching or challenging someone in this way:

   The taunting included comments such as "Go home!" and "What are you doing in our country?"

Other Words From

• taunt·ing·ly adverb
• un·taunt·ing adjective
• un·taunt·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of taunting¹

First recorded in 1540–50; taunt ¹( def ) + -ing ²( def ) for the adjective; taunt ¹( def ) + -ing ¹( def ) for the noun

Example Sentences

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

The first was against linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo for flashing the team’s fourth-down hand signal toward the Nebraska sideline, which was considered taunting.

From Los Angeles Times

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

And he barely touched on the root cause of the incident, a professional athlete overtly taunting the opposing crowd.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acerbic
• acid
• arrogant
• biting
• bitter
• brusque
• caustic
• derisive
• disparaging
• disrespectful
• mordant
• sardonic
• satirical
• saucy
• trenchant