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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of taunt
CBS News,
9 June 2026
The Cubs players continued to taunt Ruth at every opportunity, and a big one came their way in the bottom of the fourth inning when Jurges slashed a sinking liner into right field and the lumbering, top-heavy Babe muffed a shoestring catch.
—
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
Gail Sheehy,
Vanity Fair,
20 Feb. 2026
Tkachuk was also caught on a live mic, giving German and Edmonton star Leon Draisaitl the taunt of the Olympics.
—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for taunt
Verb
Some of the people in that group began taunting and jeering at the dancing men, some of whom were shirtless and wearing bathing suits.
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CBS News,
9 June 2026
The Cubs players continued to taunt Ruth at every opportunity, and a big one came their way in the bottom of the fourth inning when Jurges slashed a sinking liner into right field and the lumbering, top-heavy Babe muffed a shoestring catch.
—
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
Noun
That taunt came from the boys playing in Happy Hearts Park.
—
Gail Sheehy,
Vanity Fair,
20 Feb. 2026
Tkachuk was also caught on a live mic, giving German and Edmonton star Leon Draisaitl the taunt of the Olympics.
—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for taunt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taunt
Verb
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Many fans also note the images sharpen the look at systems already teased rather than revealing brand-new ones, and Reddit threads quickly began mapping image locations and cataloging every Ultimate-only perk.
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Though liberties can be taken for the second season, the season finale heavily teased that the story’s continuation would explore Fortune’s novel, One Golden Summer, centered on Sam’s older brother Charlie.
Noun
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Loud jeers have greeted the stoppages, around 22 minutes into each half, especially at games played in stadiums with roofs and air conditioning, such as Atlanta.
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In response, the Fed raised or lowered interest rates to increase or decrease liquidity, eliciting both cheers and jeers from political and economic opinion makers.
Verb
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In the weeks leading up to the June 26 release of the film, men mocked 26-year-old Alcock’s appearance across social media.
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Each sketch was packed with mocking details, such as long red ties, Big Macs and lots and lots of gold, to drive home her point.
Noun
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With his rakish sneer and ruthlessly tight jodhpurs, Rupert has been thoroughly neutered with irony, transformed into an object for women to pick at.
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Of course, the prospect of one of the greatest women’s footballers in history skittering around Bromley on a Saturday lunchtime in front of a smattering of fans inevitably inspires sneers.
Noun
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According to Spell and members of his congregation, the man had a history of verbally harassing them with threats, insults and racial slurs.
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Michael Lind, the writer and New America co-founder, argues in Commonplace, the magazine of Oren Cass’s American Compass, that a decent wage and a safety net should be enough, and that handing workers a stake in capital insults the dignity of their labor.
Noun
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The casual references to him as a billionaire, however, is one gibe that Lamont laughs off.
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In the final race, when Canfield was vying with Slingsby for the lead at the first turning mark, the Australians foiled through their first jibe and into a commanding lead.
Noun
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There were quips and laughs during the postgame news conference, but Skubal’s overall tone was hardly joking.
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And as with your grandmother’s ability to counter rudeness with a clever quip, this seemingly innocuous cocktail, too, packs a mighty punch.
Noun
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Several independent Turkish media outlets were denied accreditation to cover an upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, journalism groups said Thursday, calling the decision an affront to media freedoms.
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Messi began the face-off yesterday by scoring twice at lunchtime in Dallas, but Mbappe and Haaland appeared to see that as a personal affront, matching him as the sun set in Philadelphia and New Jersey.
Cite this Entry
“Taunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taunt. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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