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 Word Forms

• tauntingly adverb
• untaunting adjective
• untauntingly 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

Related Words

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