taunt

[tawnt, tahnt]

See more synonyms for taunt 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.

Origin of taunt

First recorded in 1505–15; origin uncertain

Related formstaunt·er, nountaunt·ing·ly, adverbun·taunt·ed, adjectiveun·taunt·ing, adjectiveun·taunt·ing·ly, adverb

Can be confusedtaught taunt taut

Synonyms for taunt

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1. censure, upbraid, flout, insult. 2, 3. jeer. See ridicule. 3. scoff, derision, insult, censure, ridicule.

taunt

[tawnt, tahnt]

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. 2018

Related Words for taunt

gibe, jeer, ridicule, insult, derision, barb, put-down, jab, torment, deride, offend, mock, cut, dump, mockery, swipe, dig, sarcasm, slap, slam

Examples from the Web for taunt

Contemporary Examples of taunt

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
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
As the Kenyan government struggled to retake the mall, Shabaab lobbed taunt after taunt.
Syria’s Jihadist Twitter Wars
Bill Roggio
February 16, 2014
Today, McConnell, in an effort to taunt Democrats in the Senate, introduced the measure and challenged the Senate to vote on it.
Fiscal Cliff Countdown, Day 30: Senate Meets Dada
Daniel Gross
December 6, 2012
Hassan Nasrallah fought the Israelis and lives to taunt them.
Why Rachel Corrie Got Herself Killed
Justin Green
September 5, 2012

Historical Examples of taunt

Herkimer's tanned and swarthy face changed color at this taunt.
In the Valley
Harold 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 Chuzzlewit
Charles Dickens
When you taunt me as you do to my face, how can I wonder that you taunt her behind her back!'
Barnaby Rudge
Charles Dickens
"You've never asked me to marry you," she said quietly, this time without a taunt.
The Education of Eric Lane
Stephen McKenna

British Dictionary definitions for taunt

taunt

verb (tr)

to provoke or deride with mockery, contempt, or criticism
to tease; tantalize

noun

a jeering remark
archaic the object of mockery

Derived Formstaunter, nountaunting, adjectivetauntingly, adverb

Word Origin for taunt

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

taunt

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

Word Origin and History for taunt

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.

1520s, from taunt (v.).