taunt

¹ American  

[tawnt, tahnt] / tɔnt, tɑnt /

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

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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 American  

[tawnt, tahnt] / tɔnt, tɑnt /

adjective

Nautical.

1. tall, as a mast.

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taunt ¹ British  

/ tɔːnt /

verb

1. to provoke or deride with mockery, contempt, or criticism

2. to tease; tantalize

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noun

1. a jeering remark

2. archaic the object of mockery

taunt ² British  

/ tɔːnt /

adjective

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

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Related Words

See ridicule.

Other Word Forms

• taunter noun
• taunting adjective
• tauntingly adverb
• untaunted adjective

Etymology

Origin of taunt¹

First recorded in 1505–15; origin uncertain

Origin of taunt²

First recorded in 1490–1500; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

During that run, which included six stoppage wins, Kelly - nicknamed 'Pretty Boy' - caught the eye by dancing around the ring and taunting opponents.

From BBC

They have operated within a context of fairly constant challenge—surrounded, pushed, jeered and taunted.

From The Wall Street Journal

The emotions twice resulted in technical fouls against Brentwood players for taunting.

From Los Angeles Times

It wasn’t the first time he’d had that nightmare: faces that appeared and faded as they taunted him.

From Literature

A drive that seemingly ended with an incomplete pass on third down was kept alive when Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen was penalized for taunting.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• barb
• derision
• gibe
• insult
• jab
• jeer
• put down
• ridicule