taunt 1 of 2

taunt

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noun

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of taunt
Verb
Harvard rejecting Trump’s demands was followed by the freezing of $2.2 billion of federal research funds along with Trump’s taunting threats to Harvard's tax-exempt status. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 19 Apr. 2025 Sometimes songs are written by fan clubs and are tailored to taunt that day’s opponent. Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
Noun
Conway said the video was posted while Maldonado was in a rival gang’s territory as a taunt. Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025 Social media companies say that bullying has always been a problem and will continue whether via schoolyard taunts, crank phone calls, or their platforms. Charlie Campbell, Time, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for taunt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taunt
Verb
  • Apple has teased generative AI features coming in iOS 18, and investors will be listening closely for hints from CEO Tim Cook ahead of June’s WWDC.
    Catherine Baab, Quartz, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Man teased scavenger hunt clues Police said someone called in a tip about Facebook posts Nicholson allegedly made.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The senator said El Salvador is an independent country and its president isn’t subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Supreme Court, which was followed by jeers in the audience.
    Jared Gans, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
  • But the prevailing mood was one of futility and there were ironic jeers from the Forest fans when Garnacho booted the ball high into the Bridgford Stand 18 minutes from time.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Does the fact that these Black leaders are among the rich that dandies would have mocked savor the inheritance of the style tradition or sully it?
    Akilah Sailers, Essence, 28 Apr. 2025
  • In the first round, the team stayed put at No. 14 and still landed a player that was widely mocked to the team in tight end Tyler Warren.
    Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But the moralistic sneer didn’t take long to enter the postgame analysis.
    Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The male characters are, typically, petulant narcissists with perpetual sneers who insult and cajole their female love interests into almost invariably unhealthy relationships.
    Josh Bell, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The order is so blatant in its attempt to rewrite history that to call it Orwellian would be something of an insult to Big Brother.
    Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Years of insults and escalating tension came to a boiling point during the first press conference when Eubank Jr. slapped Benn in the face with an egg—an act that drew outrage and went viral.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Lana Del Rey had a huge confession (and a little diss) to make at Stagecoach.
    Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Even so, countless people online are now cheering Kesha on for appearing to support the Wendy’s diss.
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Roy Keane’s ‘prawn sandwiches’ jibe had interesting origins.
    Michael Walker, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025
  • But even some Republicans weren’t happy with the nasty gibe.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • At the end of a traumatic week, Thompson could afford a wry quip.
    Adam Crafton, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
  • While mingling with attendees on the South Lawn, Trump delivered a quip that drew laughs, including from his wife, first lady Melania Trump.
    Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 21 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Taunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taunt. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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