taunt

²taunt

verb

Definition of TAUNT

transitive verb

: to reproach or challenge in a mocking or insulting manner : jeer at

— taunt·er noun

— taunt·ing·ly \ˈtȯn-tiŋ-lē, ˈtän-\ adverb

Examples of TAUNT

1. The boys continually taunted each other.
2. <taunted the newly arrived immigrants about their broken English>

Origin of TAUNT

perhaps from Middle French tenter to try, tempt — more at tempt

First Known Use: 1539

Related to TAUNT

Synonyms: bait, hassle, haze, heckle, needle, ride, tease

Related Words: deride, gibe (or jibe), jeer, mock, ridicule; annoy, bother, bug, burn (up), chafe, fret, frost, gall, get, gnaw (at), grate, gripe, hack (off), hagride, irk, irritate, itch, nag, nark [British], nettle, peeve, pester, pique, put out, rasp, rile, ruffle, spite, trouble, vex; aggravate, exasperate, goad, test, try; aggrieve, agitate, bedevil, beleaguer, discomfort, disturb, perturb; badger, dog, hound; browbeat, bully, hector; harass, harry, persecute, plague, terrorize, torment, torture

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See Synonym Discussion at ridicule