as in teasing
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of taunting
Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Taylor knows that even after all this battle, Olivia still loves her idol’s music — taunting her with her complicated devotion.
—Zach Schiffman, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
There was yelling, taunting and cursing from fans.
—Bob Harkins, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
The idea of me—a completely unknown artist—standing in front of the American people and taunting them was, for me, very empowering.
—Helen Molesworth, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
Jimmy Kimmel is taunting the president with a little help from his friends.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis was relishing in his return to Minnesota, taunting the Gophers’ student section after his second touchdown pass on Saturday afternoon.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 29 Sep. 2025
During the game in the first quarter, DeJean was called for an unsportsmanlike penalty for taunting.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
But Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell was on the grass in front of Nacua, and he was flagged for taunting, costing the Rams 15 yards.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The ladies began going back and forth, taunting one another with ghost writer claims and star power.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Taylor knows that even after all this battle, Olivia still loves her idol’s music — taunting her with her complicated devotion.
—Zach Schiffman, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
There was yelling, taunting and cursing from fans.
—Bob Harkins, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
The idea of me—a completely unknown artist—standing in front of the American people and taunting them was, for me, very empowering.
—Helen Molesworth, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
Jimmy Kimmel is taunting the president with a little help from his friends.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis was relishing in his return to Minnesota, taunting the Gophers’ student section after his second touchdown pass on Saturday afternoon.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 29 Sep. 2025
During the game in the first quarter, DeJean was called for an unsportsmanlike penalty for taunting.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
But Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell was on the grass in front of Nacua, and he was flagged for taunting, costing the Rams 15 yards.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 21 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taunting
Verb
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As of this writing, there's no official trailer for Interview With the Vampire season 3, though AMC did drop a teaser teasing Lestat's life as a rock icon.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Oct. 2025
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Emerald Fennell is teasing her film adaptation of Wuthering Heights, which garnered significant attention following the release of the trailer earlier this month.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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To get a sense of his whole deal, look no further than the half-mocking, half-earnest title of his latest album, Country!—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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While speaking to Jay Shetty on his podcast On Purpose in an episode released Wednesday, Watson spoke about the personal, derisive comments Rowling has made against her.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them.,
25 Sep. 2025
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The intensity of Irish expressions of solidarity in 2024 caused one pro-Israel commentator, Ben Cohen, to coin the term Paddystinian as a derisive epithet to counter the narrative.—
Philip Metres
August 27,
Literary Hub,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Vice President Vance appeared on FOX News Channel’s The Ingraham Angle hours after the heckling incident, telling the host about visiting with the national guardsmen and discussing recent changes to the city, while briefly mentioning the protesters.—
Jillian Frankel,
People.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Where internet trolls often come off as flippant or spiteful, there is a relentless sense of play and mastery of language in even McNally’s most needling posts.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Taunting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taunting. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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