Synonyms of taunt

taunt 1 of 2

verb

ˈtȯnt 

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

• tease
• mock
• annoy
• bother
• ridicule
• heckle
• bait
• ride
• pick on
• torture
• needle
• irritate
• jeer
• plague
• hassle
• haze
• deride
• make game of
• try
• spite
• harass
• gibe
• trouble
• goad
• irk
• bully
• vex
• rile
• pester
• torment
• aggravate
• nag
• exasperate
• test
• disturb
• burn (up)
• bug
• peeve
• frost
• gripe
• itch
• ruffle
• gnaw (at)
• persecute
• grate
• discomfort
• badger
• chafe
• fret
• pique
• agitate
• perturb
• hack (off)
• bedevil
• terrorize
• gall
• aggrieve
• put out
• hound
• dog
• browbeat
• rasp
• nark
• nettle
• beleaguer
• get
• hector
• harry
• hagride

taunt

2 of 2

noun

as in jeer

Related Words

• jeer
• sneer
• insult
• mock
• gibe
• quip
• affront
• slap
• barb
• dart
• slur
• sarcasm
• catcall
• indignity
• outrage
• slight
• abuse
• epithet
• invective
• poke
• vituperation
• disapproval
• dis
• brickbat
• dig
• name
• gird
• put-down
• offense
• attack
• criticism
• personality
• cut
• dishonor
• shame
• opprobrium
• swipe
• disgrace
• knock
• torment
• torture
• slam

Dissimilar Words

• compliment
• praise
• commendation
• applause
• acclaim
• flattery
• accolade
• adulation

Synonym Chooser

How is the word taunt distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of taunt are deride, mock, and ridicule. While all these words mean "to make an object of laughter of," taunt suggests jeeringly provoking insult or challenge.

hometown fans taunted the visiting team

When could deride be used to replace taunt?

The words deride and taunt are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deride suggests contemptuous and often bitter ridicule.

derided their efforts to start their own business

When would mock be a good substitute for taunt?

Although the words mock and taunt have much in common, mock implies scorn often ironically expressed as by mimicry or sham deference.

youngsters began to mock the helpless wino

In what contexts can ridicule take the place of taunt?

The synonyms ridicule and taunt are sometimes interchangeable, but ridicule implies a deliberate often malicious belittling.

consistently ridiculed everything she said

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of taunt

Verb

Yet there Culkin is, taunting the District tributes and putting on a show for the Capitol elites in the trailers for the upcoming film. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026

Lisa lets a dolphin named Snorky escape from Marine World after seeing his trainers taunt him for the amusement of slack-jawed yokels. — Joshua Kurp, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026

Noun

But my citizenship, synonymous with quality and power, sat there like a taunt and a temptation. — Karan Mahajan, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2026

Fatu tagged in and faced off with Sikoa, who immediately hit him with a Samoan Drop and mocked Fatu’s signature taunt. — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026