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
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of taunt
Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2025
On another occasion, a group of students tripped him to the ground, put a cheese crown made of paper on his head, and then taunted him with actual cheese.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2025
Alexander Smith, NBC news, 29 Sep. 2025
After a 3-1 showing in the morning, the Euros fought through the taunts of fans and tensions inside the ropes to grab another three points to the Americans' one in the afternoon session and expand their lead to 11.5-4.5.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taunt
Verb
The Overlook Hotel is, yes, sinister and even demonic, taunting Jack Torrance with bizarre visions that Kubrick manipulates to create a mounting sense of dread.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2025
On another occasion, a group of students tripped him to the ground, put a cheese crown made of paper on his head, and then taunted him with actual cheese.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
In truth, the Ryder Cup has long since departed from golf’s gentlemanly beginnings, with rowdy taunts and sledging now par for the course.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 29 Sep. 2025
After a 3-1 showing in the morning, the Euros fought through the taunts of fans and tensions inside the ropes to grab another three points to the Americans' one in the afternoon session and expand their lead to 11.5-4.5.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taunt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taunt
Verb
-
Paul teased getting involved, but instead opted to leave the ring.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The Dodgers, however, weren’t the only ones eager to tease Drake after their big victory.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The jeers continued after the play itself failed miserably.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
As his father read drafts of the Declaration of Independence, William was carted off, to jeers and insults.—
Stacy Schiff,
The Atlantic,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Spicer was voted out after eight weeks of mocking from social media and the show’s judges.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Brown said, mocking the press headlines.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Anderson plunges the audience into the rebels’ point of view, immersing us in the recalcitrant pride and swagger of Perfidia Beverly Hills, a revolutionary leader played by Teyana Taylor with a hypnotic sneer of defiance.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
17 Sep. 2025
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Jacob sneers, but doesn’t even wait for his son to answer.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The Special Olympics has been fighting against the discriminatory use of the word since the term’s early days as an insult.—
Kate Reilly,
NBC news,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The race has been no short of dogged, as insults between the candidates on the debate stage have led to archives investigations and defamation lawsuit threats.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Leno later said he felt humiliated by Kimmel’s jibe.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
19 Sep. 2025
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The foolishness of the governor’s gibe was underscored by the progressive, staunchly anti-Trump Democratic mayor of San Jose.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Spurrier had his quips come out of his mouth as opposed to Kiffin, who seems to be at his best on social media.—
Bruce Feldman,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Lundgren spoke about leadership and teamwork, but not before managing one quip.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This is an affront to human dignity and that’s incredibly terrifying.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
-
This was quite an affront to the members of De Stijl who believed otherwise.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Taunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taunt. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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