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

And nipped any indication that Williams was taunting the 45-year-old coach in the bud. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 14 Sep. 2026

The big house sat clear, taunting their one‑room shack with its size, her children somewhere swallowed in the expansiveness of the land. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026

Noun

As the players headed to their benches and the officials took their customary walks to the scorer’s table for the time out, Atkinson scrunched his face, stuck out his hands, and mockingly clapped toward Blair — who ignored the obvious taunt. — Joe Vardon, New York Times, 11 May 2026

She was brought up in a fairly strict Muslim family, and wore a hijab as a child, often drawing taunts from other students. — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 7 May 2026