taunt

[ tawnt, tahnt ]

/ tɔnt, tɑnt /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: taunt / taunted / taunting on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to reproach in a sarcastic, insulting, or jeering manner; mock.

to provoke by taunts; twit.

noun

an insulting gibe or sarcasm; scornful reproach or challenge.

Obsolete. an object of insulting gibes or scornful reproaches.

OTHER WORDS FOR taunt

1 censure, upbraid, flout, insult.

2 jeer.

3 scoff, insult; derision, censure, ridicule.

See synonyms for taunt on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?

We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

Question 1 of 8

Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of taunt

First recorded in 1505–15; origin uncertain

synonym study for taunt

2, 3. See ridicule.

OTHER WORDS FROM taunt

taunt·er, nounun·taunt·ed, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH taunt

taught, taunt , taut

Words nearby taunt

tauhinu, tauhou, tauiwi, tau lepton, tau neutrino, taunt, taunting, Taunton, Taunton Deane, Taunus Mountains, tauon

Other definitions for taunt (2 of 2)

taunt²

[ tawnt, tahnt ]

/ tɔnt, tɑnt /

adjective Nautical.

tall, as a mast.

Origin of taunt

First recorded in 1490–1500; origin uncertain

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use taunt in a sentence

He repeated his taunt when the plane was fourth in line for takeoff.
Sneezed on, cussed at, ignored: Airline workers battle mask resistance with scant government backup|Michael Laris|January 1, 2021|Washington Post
It was the most taunting two fastened to the end of a big number since Alex Rodriguez signed that contract for a stunning $252 million two decades ago.
Tallying up a year of loss: A lot of pounds, too many loved ones, countless connections|Jerry Brewer|December 27, 2020|Washington Post
Following her into the inner Chamber of the building, the Hunter meets her nemesis, the Godslayer, who floats down in the air to taunt her and injure the eagle again.
‘The Pathless’: Less than the sum of its parts|Christopher Byrd|November 23, 2020|Washington Post
The margins are mostly pretty small, and you have to weigh them against the intangibles, like having free hands or hearing taunts about forgetting your skis.
Scientists Weigh in on the Great Trekking Pole Debate|Alex Hutchinson|October 23, 2020|Outside Online

The clinic police said Aaron Hayward stood behind his father, taunting them and shouting expletives.
The Startling Reach and Disparate Impact of Cleveland Clinic’s Private Police Force|by David Armstrong|September 28, 2020|ProPublica
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 Up|Tim Teeman|October 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Opposing fans often taunt him, screaming, “Swear in a minute, he's going to swear in a minute.”
Team USA Lost, but Tim Howard Is a Winner|Emily Shire|July 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In Mexico, crowds gather to watch dwarf bullfighters taunt their calves with red capes for pay of $50 to $100.
China Has a Dwarf Amusement Park|Nina Strochlic|June 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In Lost in the Meritocracy, Kirn charts how the economics of privilege taunt him at every turn in Princeton.
This Week’s Hot Reads: March 10, 2014|Mythili Rao|March 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As the Kenyan government struggled to retake the mall, Shabaab lobbed taunt after taunt.
Syria’s Jihadist Twitter Wars|Bill Roggio|February 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was the taunt of his chief of the staff, "Do you know that the soldiers say you are afraid and do not dare to advance?"
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
Bill Barry's taunt about cash payment touched the pride of some, but the outcome of the matter was predestined from the beginning.
Dorothy at Skyrie|Evelyn Raymond
Ferris's taunt had reached its mark, and she realized with confusion that it was the truth he spoke.
Winston of the Prairie|Harold Bindloss
But Georgie made no reply to her cousin's taunt, she merely extended her colourless hands towards the blazing fire of logs.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume II (of 3)|Charles James Wills
The Emperor seemed to fire up with indignation at the taunt, but he sank into the chair on the throne.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy

British Dictionary definitions for taunt (1 of 2)

taunt¹

/ (tɔːnt) /

verb (tr)

to provoke or deride with mockery, contempt, or criticism

to tease; tantalize

noun

a jeering remark

archaic the object of mockery

Derived forms of taunt

taunter, nountaunting, adjectivetauntingly, adverb

Word Origin for taunt

C16: from French phrase tant pour tant like for like, rejoinder

British Dictionary definitions for taunt (2 of 2)

taunt²

/ (tɔːnt) /

adjective

nautical (of the mast or masts of a sailing vessel) unusually tall

Word Origin for taunt

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

taunt

OTHER WORDS FOR taunt

Origin of taunt

synonym study for taunt

OTHER WORDS FROM taunt

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH taunt

Words nearby taunt

Other definitions for taunt (2 of 2)

Origin of taunt

Words related to taunt

How to use taunt in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for taunt (1 of 2)

Derived forms of taunt

Word Origin for taunt

British Dictionary definitions for taunt (2 of 2)

Word Origin for taunt