taunt

[ tawnt, tahnt ]

/ tɔnt, tɑnt /

SEE 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.

Words nearby taunt

tauchnitz, taught, tauhinu, tauhou, tauiwi, taunt, taunton, taunton deane, taunus mountains, tauon, taupata

Origin of taunt

First recorded in 1505–15; origin uncertain

SYNONYMS FOR taunt

1 censure, upbraid, flout, insult.

2, 3 jeer. See ridicule.

3 scoff, derision, insult, censure, ridicule.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR taunt ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM taunt

taunt·er, nountaunt·ing·ly, adverbun·taunt·ed, adjectiveun·taunt·ing, adjective

un·taunt·ing·ly, adverb

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH taunt

taught taunt taut

Definition 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. 2019

Examples from the Web for 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|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
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
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|DAILY BEAST

Hassan Nasrallah fought the Israelis and lives to taunt them.
Why Rachel Corrie Got Herself Killed|Justin Green|September 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
I would put in no Wilmot proviso for the mere purpose of a taunt or a reproach.
American Eloquence, Volume II. (of 4)|Various
He was excited when he uttered this taunt, and he was sorry for it afterwards.
The Drummer Boy|John Trowbridge
"We are no cowards, Baron Heckscher," I replied warmly, as if stung by his taunt.
A Dash .. .. .. For a Throne|Arthur W. Marchmont
But we trust that the day is not distant when foreigners will no longer be able to taunt us with undue sensitiveness.
The International Magazine, Vol. IV. New-York, December 1, 1851. No. V.|Various
The four men began to taunt John Storm, to take off their hats and bow to him in mock honour.
The Christian|Hall Caine

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

verb (used with object)

noun

Content related to taunt

Words related to taunt

Words nearby taunt

Origin of taunt

SYNONYMS FOR taunt

OTHER WORDS FROM taunt

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH taunt

Definition for taunt (2 of 2)

adjective Nautical.

Origin of taunt

Examples from the Web for taunt

British Dictionary definitions for taunt (1 of 2)

verb (tr)

noun

Derived forms of taunt

Word Origin for taunt

British Dictionary definitions for taunt (2 of 2)

adjective

Word Origin for taunt