taunting

[tawn-ting, tahn-]

adjective

1. 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

1. 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of taunting¹

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

That came from the other team’s fans, who filled the Pasadena night with the taunting chant of, “Let’s Go Utah.”

From Los Angeles Times

There were numerous 15-yard personal foul penalties for taunting, late hits, grabbing the face mask and a horse collar.

From Los Angeles Times

From the start Hun Sen posted constantly, in Khmer and English, on his Facebook page, taunting the Thai government, along with photos that showed him in army uniform or poring over military maps.

From BBC

After sheepishly returning to home plate amid a taunting roar from the hostile Dodger Stadium crowd, he flied out with a runner on second.

From Los Angeles Times

Sen. John Cornyn, not typically a flamethrower, is taunting Paxton, his primary challenger, for not doing more to drag the Democrats back.

From Salon

Related Words

• acerbic 
• acid 
• arrogant 
• biting 
• bitter 
• brusque 
• caustic 
• derisive 
• disparaging 
• disrespectful 
• mordant 
• sardonic 
• satirical 
• saucy 
• trenchant