taunt

1 of 2

verb

ˈtȯnt 

ˈtänt

taunted; taunting; taunts

transitive verb

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

taunter noun

tauntingly

ˈtȯn-tiŋ-lē 

ˈtän-

adverb

taunt

2 of 2

noun

: a sarcastic challenge or insult

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Taunt vs. Taut

Taunt and taut may easily be confused. The words are similar in spelling and pronunciation, though the resemblance does not extent to their syntax or meanings. Taut is an adjective that is most often used to refer to something that is pulled tight, like "a taut rope," or is bulging or filled to capacity, like "taut muscles." Taunt is a noun and a verb that refers to teasing or making fun of a person. That the two words sound similar creates confusion, and taunt, being the more common word, is sometimes substituted for taut. You can remember the difference between the two by remembering that tight and taut both lack the n of taunt.

Synonyms

Verb

• bait
• hassle
• haze
• heckle
• needle
• ride
• tease

Choose the Right Synonym for taunt

ridicule, deride, mock, taunt mean to make an object of laughter of.

ridicule implies a deliberate often malicious belittling.

consistently ridiculed everything she said

deride suggests contemptuous and often bitter ridicule.

derided their efforts to start their own business

mock implies scorn often ironically expressed as by mimicry or sham deference.

the other kids mocked the way he laughed

taunt suggests jeeringly provoking insult or challenge.

hometown fans taunted the visiting team

Examples of taunt in a Sentence

Verb

The boys continually taunted each other.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Soon, a malevolent fetch -- his ghostly double -- emerges, taunting him with hallucinations of his dead son and dragging him toward the brink of madness. —Arkansas Online, 22 May 2025

Noted, But Not Personal After the Pacers eliminated the Knicks last season, Myles Turner went viral for parading through New York City and taunting Knicks fans. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 19 May 2025

Noun

This time, the target of his taunts is longtime frenemy Floyd Mayweather Jr., who recently filed a $100 million federal lawsuit against Business Insider, its parent company Insider Inc., and reporter Daniel Geiger. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 19 May 2025

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Sunday because the league had not publicly identified who the taunts were directed toward or who made the allegations. —Doug Feinberg, Chicago Tribune, 18 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

1539, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1527, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for taunt

• daunt
• flaunt
• font
• gaunt
• haunt
• jaunt
• pont
• vaunt
• want
• avant
• croissant
• detente

Kids Definition

taunt

verb

ˈtȯnt,

ˈtänt

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

taunt noun

taunter noun

tauntingly

-iŋ-lē

adverb