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

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns

tauntings

plural

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.

Taunting a losing opponent is crass and unnecessary and there’s no place for it in sports, men’s or women’s.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2023

Taunting has been a point of emphasis all season, and controversy about the calls reached a zenith in Chicago’s 29-27 loss on Nov. 8 at Pittsburgh.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 18, 2021

Taunting has been a point of emphasis for NFL officials this season.

From Washington Post • Nov. 8, 2021

Taunting players may even be fined or suspended depending on the severity of the actions.

From Fox News • Aug. 17, 2021

He’s on his board Right now and he’s Taunting three girls, His fat tongue Wiggling like a worm From the chipped place In his mouth.

From "Neighborhood Odes" by Gary Soto

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