Synonyms

taunting

American

[tawn-ting, tahn-] / ˈtɔn tɪŋ, ˈtɑn- /

adjective

reproaching or challenging someone in a sarcastic, insulting, or scornful way.

The Times obtained copies of his emails, which our reviewer found unquestionably harassing, with a taunting quality to them.

noun

the act or an instance of reproaching or challenging someone in this way.

The taunting included comments such as "Go home!" and "What are you doing in our country?"

Other Word Forms

tauntingly adverb
untaunting adjective
untauntingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of taunting

First recorded in 1540–50; taunt ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective; taunt ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun

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.

And that unopened brick of air-dry clay that’s taunting you?

From MarketWatch • Feb. 23, 2026

The taunting slogan of a 1990 Sega advertising campaign was “Genesis Does What Nintendon’t.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

During that run, which included six stoppage wins, Kelly - nicknamed 'Pretty Boy' - caught the eye by dancing around the ring and taunting opponents.

From BBC • Jan. 31, 2026

The two had been sniping at each other all game, with Doncic at one point taunting Schroder for not signing an $84-million contract with the Lakers in 2021.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 11, 2026

Gleefully, she turned on the faithful Robbie, and with the basest of ingratitude, rewarded him for his sacrifice by taunting him cruelly for a lack of running ability.

From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023