Synonyms

taunting

American

[tawn-ting, tahn-] / ˈtɔn tɪŋ, ˈtɑn- /

adjective

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

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 Word Forms

tauntingly adverb
untaunting adjective
untauntingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of taunting

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And that unopened brick of air-dry clay that’s taunting you?

From MarketWatch • Feb. 23, 2026

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 • Jan. 31, 2026

Will he still marry her now, Ms. Williams’s Anna asks with taunting sarcasm?

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 14, 2025

But Obasi suggests the attacks "may also be acts of defiance by some armed groups, taunting the US to make good on its threat of military action in Nigeria".

From Barron's • Nov. 24, 2025

He stared at me, not hoping I’d raise my hand, more like he was taunting me.

From "Tradition" by Brendan Kiely

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023