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.

But the phantoms of the past remain, haunting our dreams and taunting us with the comfort of imagined reconciliation, until we wake up and it slips away.

From Salon • Apr. 24, 2026

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

From MarketWatch • Feb. 23, 2026

There was also an image of Gabriel Martinelli taunting Wolves' fans with a "2-1" gesture, only to look daft when Arsenal conceded that late leveller.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

What consequential life experiences have I missed, taunting my eyeballs, indulging this social media imp turned experimental pugilist as he bumbles around the ring with has-beens and never-weres?

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 20, 2025

While you and Coby play blackjack, you notice The Twins taunting some poor kid, jabbing the air with their red boxing gloves.

From "Booked" by Kwame Alexander

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