taunt
1 Americanverb (used with object)
-
taunts,
present (3rd person singular)
-
taunted,
past participle, past
-
taunting
present participle
adjective
verb
-
to provoke or deride with mockery, contempt, or criticism
-
to tease; tantalize
noun
-
a jeering remark
-
archaic the object of mockery
adjective
Synonym Usage
See ridicule.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
tauntsimple
-
tauntssimple
-
have tauntedperfect
-
has tauntedperfect
-
am tauntingprogressive
-
are tauntingprogressive
-
is tauntingprogressive
-
have been tauntingperfect progressive
-
has been tauntingperfect progressive
Past
-
tauntedsimple
-
had tauntedperfect
-
was tauntingprogressive
-
were tauntingprogressive
-
had been tauntingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of taunt1
First recorded in 1505–15; origin uncertain
Origin of taunt2
First recorded in 1490–1500; origin uncertain
Explanation
A short list of people not to taunt: your big brother, nightclub bouncers, evil wizards. Taunts are insulting comments, and, unless you are a really, really fast runner, keep them to yourself. Taunting is often associated with large groups picking on an individual. A mob might call out a hated king from his castle with taunts and jeers. Bullying can also take the form of taunting — something that teachers, administrators, parents, and students are working together to stop.
Vocabulary lists containing taunt
List 4
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Crossover
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
Other Kyle first began to taunt MacLachlan after he saw himself on a gargantuan billboard for “Dune” in Times Square.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026
It's the cruel taunt thrown about by rival fans.
From BBC ● Apr. 13, 2026
The residents cheer and taunt and follow from a safe distance.
From Slate ● Feb. 11, 2026
Then, this offseason, they committed another $309 million to bring in Tucker and top closer Edwin Díaz, almost as if to taunt their rivals.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 16, 2026
But he got his nickname because one time, in third grade, Maddie and I were playing on the jungle gym at recess when Callum came over and began to taunt us.
From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon
“I’m Actually Kinda Famous” sneers and taunts a portrayal of fame over synths, and “Cannibalism!” is wrapped in youthful desire and garage rock fuzz.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 25, 2026
“Melania” taunts the viewer and takes glee in the assumption that they can’t do anything about it.
From Salon ● Feb. 1, 2026
Thomas Frank said the "boring Tottenham" taunts from his own club's fans were understandable after they were held to a dour 0-0 draw by Brentford on Thursday.
From Barron's ● Jan. 1, 2026
England fans also base taunts on his tearful news conference in 2018.
From BBC ● Nov. 23, 2025
For my parents, however, those symbols became taunts, reminders of all they could not achieve in one lifetime.
From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez
"Sandro, what's the score?" the away fans taunted in the closing stages as the substituted Italian looked on.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026
After being taunted for bringing her toys, Bonnie is embarrassed but determined to get in with the cool group, leaving her toys outside to be returned to the wrong address by a stranger.
From Salon ● Jun. 21, 2026
The few protesters taunted the agents, who mostly amused themselves.
From Slate ● May 29, 2026
Lucia’s neighbor Steve Chessare lobbied him, telling the story of being taunted for the Millionaire name the year his basketball team won the state championship in 1974.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 22, 2026
It must have been just before my talk with him by the pond; a time, I suppose, when Tommy was still coming out of that phase of being teased and taunted.
From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro
Riley didn’t catch his player taunting the Oregon sideline as the Ducks watched their teammate lay prone at the USC 12-yard line.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2026
Rather than try to flee, the larger speedboat began circling the inflatable, taunting the four Civil Guard officers aboard.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026
Never mind their dozens of targeted social media posts and years of taunting.
From Salon ● Jun. 25, 2026
Sean Duffy is even taunting Pete Buttigieg about it, in a bout of dreaded intra–transportation secretary violence.
From Slate ● May 5, 2026
The idea that I’ve wounded the brute’s tiny cat feelings just invites further taunting.
From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
