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
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tauntsimple
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tauntssimple
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have tauntedperfect
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has tauntedperfect
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am tauntingprogressive
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are tauntingprogressive
-
is tauntingprogressive
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have been tauntingperfect progressive
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has been tauntingperfect progressive
Past
-
tauntedsimple
-
had tauntedperfect
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was tauntingprogressive
-
were tauntingprogressive
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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
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The Crossover
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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
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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:
When San Antonio’s big man Victor Wembanyama pointed to his temple after goading a Knick into a cheap foul, the taunt was clear: I’m in your head, buddy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 11, 2026
Not only did Clark’s team go on to win, the taunt — much like a number of other moments involving the sharpshooting former Hawkeye — went viral.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 14, 2026
The residents cheer and taunt and follow from a safe distance.
From Slate ● Feb. 11, 2026
One thing's for sure: "You Can't See Me" might be the taunt Cena gives Gunther, but the last fight will be seen and remembered by many.
From BBC ● Dec. 12, 2025
Even he could derive little satisfaction from the prospect of killing a tharn rabbit half his own size, in obedience to a contemptuous taunt.
From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams
Her dreams propelled Jackson toward college — as did a need to avenge the childhood taunts that echoed in his head.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 17, 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
Smith, who has been the target of England fans' taunts since his role in the 2018 ball-tampering incident against South Africa, saw them though.
From BBC ● Nov. 21, 2025
But it faded as she remembered the mud on her bike and his taunts about the contest.
From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn
That’s why Ham is swift to insist he’s being taunted, even when he’s not.
From Salon ● Jul. 10, 2026
Ronda Rousey and Jake Paul have taunted the UFC and Dana White for failing to break Most Valuable Promotions' MMA record audience figure with the White House event last week.
From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026
The woman alleged that Jackson repeatedly refused to delete the video and then taunted her with it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 9, 2026
The few protesters taunted the agents, who mostly amused themselves.
From Slate ● May 29, 2026
And I’m gonna teach you,” he taunted, almost whispering in my ear.
From "All American Boys" by Jason Reynolds
Earlier in the week, Carney criticized taunting of Canada by U.S. officials, and said it was not constructive toward resolving outstanding trade issues.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026
Neither incidents involved taunting players from the opposing team, and both of those techs have reportedly been rescinded.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026
"I think there was an image on Saturday of a Celtic fan on the pitch with a kid in his arms taunting the Hearts players."
From BBC ● May 18, 2026
Sean Duffy is even taunting Pete Buttigieg about it, in a bout of dreaded intra–transportation secretary violence.
From Slate ● May 5, 2026
It was a relief to return to the noise and bustle of the main school on Monday, where he was forced to think about other things, even if he had to endure Draco Malfoy’s taunting.
From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling
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.
