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

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

Doncic and the Lakers appealed the call after he was given a technical for taunting against Orlando Magic forward Goga Bitadze in Saturday’s Lakers win. —Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026

His torturers shattered his hands and paraded him around the stadium, taunting him to try to play his guitar. —Christina Hioureas, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2026

Noun

McMillan, a man of Polynesian descent, stood, adrenaline still surging, and fired back with a taunt, using the N-word. —Devon Henderson, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026

Cornyn’s campaign responded with a taunt over Paxton’s divorce and cheating scandal. —Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 4 Feb. 2026