taunt
1 Americanverb (used with object)
adjective
verb
-
to provoke or deride with mockery, contempt, or criticism
-
to tease; tantalize
noun
-
a jeering remark
-
archaic the object of mockery
adjective
Synonym Usage
See ridicule.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has tauntedperfect 3rd person singular
-
have tauntedperfect
-
am tauntingprogressive 1st person singular
-
have been tauntingperfect progressive
-
has been tauntingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
tauntingparticiple
-
is tauntingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
are tauntingprogressive
-
tauntssingular 3rd person
Past
-
had tauntedperfect
-
was tauntingprogressive singular
-
had been tauntingperfect progressive
-
were tauntingprogressive plural
-
tauntedsimple
-
tauntedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of taunt1
First recorded in 1505–15; origin uncertain
Origin of taunt2
First recorded in 1490–1500; origin uncertain
Explanation
A short list of people not to taunt: your big brother, nightclub bouncers, evil wizards. Taunts are insulting comments, and, unless you are a really, really fast runner, keep them to yourself. Taunting is often associated with large groups picking on an individual. A mob might call out a hated king from his castle with taunts and jeers. Bullying can also take the form of taunting — something that teachers, administrators, parents, and students are working together to stop.
Vocabulary lists containing taunt
List 4
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Crossover
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Not only did Clark’s team go on to win, the taunt — much like a number of other moments involving the sharpshooting former Hawkeye — went viral.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026
Then, Anthropic unveiled Super Bowl ads that taunt rival OpenAI.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026
Smith was sacked as captain as a result of the ball-tampering episode against South Africa and it is often used by England fans as a taunt to the 36-year-old.
From BBC • Nov. 20, 2025
From taunt to revenge fantasy in two frames flat.
From Slate • Aug. 31, 2025
“Maybe she wants to tease and taunt me, the way that boy did in your old house.”
From "Hurricane Child" by Kheryn Callender
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
