taunt1
[tawnt, tahnt]
- to reproach in a sarcastic, insulting, or jeering manner; mock.
- to provoke by taunts; twit.
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- an insulting gibe or sarcasm; scornful reproach or challenge.
- Obsolete. an object of insulting gibes or scornful reproaches.
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Origin of taunt1
First recorded in 1505–15; origin uncertain
Synonyms
See more synonyms for taunt on Thesaurus.com1. censure, upbraid, flout, insult. 2, 3. jeer. See ridicule. 3. scoff, derision, insult, censure, ridicule.
taunt2
[tawnt, tahnt]
- tall, as a mast.
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Origin of taunt2
First recorded in 1490–1500; origin uncertain
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for taunt
Contemporary Examples
Katya and her cronies laugh at and taunt Vasily as he leaves court.
The ‘Hunted’ Gays of Putin’s Russia: Vicious Vigilantes and State Bigotry Close UpTim Teeman
October 6, 2014
Opposing fans often taunt him, screaming, “Swear in a minute, he's going to swear in a minute.”
As the Kenyan government struggled to retake the mall, Shabaab lobbed taunt after taunt.
Today, McConnell, in an effort to taunt Democrats in the Senate, introduced the measure and challenged the Senate to vote on it.
Hassan Nasrallah fought the Israelis and lives to taunt them.
Historical Examples
Herkimer's tanned and swarthy face changed color at this taunt.
In the ValleyHarold Frederic
None but cowards will insult and taunt the defeated and defenceless.
The Works of Whittier, Volume VII (of VII)John Greenleaf Whittier
I had already forgiven you, even before you ceased to reproach and taunt me.
Life And Adventures Of Martin ChuzzlewitCharles Dickens
When you taunt me as you do to my face, how can I wonder that you taunt her behind her back!'
Barnaby RudgeCharles Dickens
"You've never asked me to marry you," she said quietly, this time without a taunt.
The Education of Eric LaneStephen McKenna
taunt1
- to provoke or deride with mockery, contempt, or criticism
- to tease; tantalize
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- a jeering remark
- archaic the object of mockery
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Word Origin
C16: from French phrase tant pour tant like for like, rejoinder
taunt2
- nautical (of the mast or masts of a sailing vessel) unusually tall
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Word Origin
C15: of uncertain origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for taunt
v.
1510s, possibly from Middle French tanter, tenter "to tempt, try, provoke," variant of tempter "to try" (see tempt). Or from Middle French tant pour tant "so much for so much, tit for tat," on notion of "sarcastic rejoinder." Related: Taunted; taunting.
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n.
1520s, from taunt (v.).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper