as in to tease
to attack repeatedly with mean put-downs or insults
the principal reminded the student athletes that taunting their opponents was not showing good sportsmanship
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in jeer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of taunt
Brett Samuels, The Hill, 28 Mar. 2025
The two educators are also accused of taunting Alex for two days in a row to the extent that the child was seen covering his ears and rocking back and forth in anxiety.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Mar. 2025
Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2025
Violence usually has a proximate cause that is straightforward to identify—an insult, a taunt, a source of aggrievement.
—Michael Luo, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taunt
Verb
Trump has for months taunted Canada by suggesting it should be annexed and join the United States as the 51st state, which Canadian leaders have rebuffed.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 28 Mar. 2025
The two educators are also accused of taunting Alex for two days in a row to the extent that the child was seen covering his ears and rocking back and forth in anxiety.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Mar. 2025
Noun
Ambitious and ultra-local, with pummeling percussion and fierce taunts in Nigerian pidgin, the album Rema was nominated for — last year’s Heis — boldly honored his roots and commanded respect.
—Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2025
Violence usually has a proximate cause that is straightforward to identify—an insult, a taunt, a source of aggrievement.
—Michael Luo, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taunt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taunt
Verb
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The trailer also teases a subplot involving a pregnancy between Sue Storm and Reed Richards, possibly hinting at the birth of their son, Franklin Richards, a character with universe-altering powers in Marvel lore.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
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Fans of the finger food, made with a tortilla-crumb breading, can look forward to having it year-round, as Taco Bell teased plans to make nuggets part of the permanent menu by 2026.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Kansas City Star,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But the prevailing mood was one of futility and there were ironic jeers from the Forest fans when Garnacho booted the ball high into the Bridgford Stand 18 minutes from time.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2025
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When fans last gathered here, late in September, there were jeers and boos while the Sox improbably swept the Angels in a three-game series.—
Andrew Carter,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Constance, the policy consultant, says his 29-year-old daughter had joined other liberal family members in mocking him over his participation in NatalCon.—
Meena Duerson,
CNN Money,
10 Apr. 2025
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Altman mocked Musk by making a counter-offer to buy X for $9.7 billion.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But the moralistic sneer didn’t take long to enter the postgame analysis.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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The male characters are, typically, petulant narcissists with perpetual sneers who insult and cajole their female love interests into almost invariably unhealthy relationships.—
Josh Bell,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
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But some Republican registrars took them as an insult, and at least one, Lisa Amatruda of Woodbury, walked out.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
16 Apr. 2025
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The imitation Punisher logo on Cole’s bullet was no act of flattery, but the most vile of insults.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Prosecutors said Stokes seethed for months after the diss, plotting his revenge through the holiday season and into the next year.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
21 Mar. 2025
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But with Let's Sprinkle by MG, Gorga is having the last laugh at a decades-old diss.—
Angela Andaloro,
People.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Roy Keane’s ‘prawn sandwiches’ jibe had interesting origins.—
Michael Walker,
The Athletic,
15 Mar. 2025
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But even some Republicans weren’t happy with the nasty gibe.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
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At the end of a traumatic week, Thompson could afford a wry quip.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
22 Apr. 2025
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While mingling with attendees on the South Lawn, Trump delivered a quip that drew laughs, including from his wife, first lady Melania Trump.—
Heather Hunter,
The Washington Examiner,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Taunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taunt. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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