Synonyms of taunting

taunting 1 of 2

adjective

as in mocking

Related Words

• mocking
• derisive
• baiting
• ridiculing
• heckling
• jeering
• needling
• deriding
• hassling
• derisory
• sarcastic
• contemptuous
• joking
• scornful
• razzing
• bandying
• bantering
• rallying
• quipping
• kidding
• quizzical
• disdainful
• jesting
• fooling
• ribbing
• joshing
• funning
• chaffing

taunting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of taunt

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

• teasing
• mocking
• bothering
• ridiculing
• heckling
• baiting
• riding
• annoying
• hassling
• torturing
• hazing
• needling
• jeering
• irritating
• picking on
• plaguing
• making game of
• deriding
• troubling
• goading
• bullying
• pestering
• trying
• harassing
• tormenting
• nagging
• spiting
• gibing
• bugging
• badgering
• testing
• disturbing
• aggravating
• griping
• irking
• itching
• riling
• nettling
• exasperating
• grating
• vexing
• ruffling
• burning (up)
• hounding
• chafing
• rasping
• fretting
• agitating
• discomforting
• dogging
• perturbing
• persecuting
• browbeating
• frosting
• terrorizing
• gnawing (at)
• piquing
• narking
• galling
• bedeviling
• hectoring
• hacking (off)
• getting
• beleaguering
• peeving
• putting out
• harrying
• hagriding
• aggrieving

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of taunting

Verb

Cunningham’s highlights are hard fouls, a few 3-pointers, taunting, serving as a ring girl at a UFC fight, her sense of humor, and now commentary that has a Fox flair. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Aug. 2026

His gruff mechanic Cooter Davenport is introduced as a hell-raising, uncouth wild man, constantly taunting the authorities and flouting convention. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Aug. 2026

Gunther once again took his attention away from Aldis by taunting Aldis’ wife—WWE Hall of Famer Mickie James—and his son Donovan. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

The ancient namesake ammunition detailed by researchers at Spain’s Autonomous University of Barcelona is only the latest example of Roman soldiers’ penchant for taunting their enemies from afar. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 July 2026

Salgado is accused of approaching the man, taunting him to start a fight and punching him in the face, police said. — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026

And the Ithacan more than lives up to his reputation as the most obstinate hero in history, regularly taunting Poseidon (Miles Anderson) despite knowing the god will delay his return home. — Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 24 July 2026

In that contest, Clark was assessed a technical foul for loudly clapping in the direction of Mercury players during a skirmish, which White said the officials deemed as taunting. — James Boyd, New York Times, 19 July 2026

Popov’s friends eventually left but Popov stuck around and continued taunting Sibley and his friends. — Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026