as in teases
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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Recent Examples of taunts
Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
Newsom taunts Trump with multiple jabs as Florida redistricting fight ramps up.
—FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Owen is a serial killer who, much like Zodiac, taunts the police with phone calls threatening the murder of innocent citizens.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 14 Apr. 2026
So much for Anthropic's Super Bowl taunts.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
More than an hour into the film, during a scene in which Buffalo Bill taunts the captive Catherine Martin—a moment that features both characters screaming directly into the camera—Mary got up and headed to the lobby.
—Brian Raftery, Longreads, 29 Jan. 2026
In a 30-second clip, Adams is seen leaving a jet bridge while a woman who is walking ahead of him seemingly taunts Adams.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 15 Jan. 2026
The two come face-to-face at the end of the episode, during which Callahan taunts Kyle over his wife's murder.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Dec. 2025
Instead, Pennywise taunts Ingrid before showing her the deadlights and leaving her (mostly) catatonic.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2025
Verb
In the final episode of the season, Max taunts Pip on her way to Stanley’s funeral as his companion, a young blonde, laughs and drinks wine.
—Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
Newsom taunts Trump with multiple jabs as Florida redistricting fight ramps up.
—FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Owen is a serial killer who, much like Zodiac, taunts the police with phone calls threatening the murder of innocent citizens.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 14 Apr. 2026
So much for Anthropic's Super Bowl taunts.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
More than an hour into the film, during a scene in which Buffalo Bill taunts the captive Catherine Martin—a moment that features both characters screaming directly into the camera—Mary got up and headed to the lobby.
—Brian Raftery, Longreads, 29 Jan. 2026
In a 30-second clip, Adams is seen leaving a jet bridge while a woman who is walking ahead of him seemingly taunts Adams.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 15 Jan. 2026
The two come face-to-face at the end of the episode, during which Callahan taunts Kyle over his wife's murder.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Dec. 2025
Instead, Pennywise taunts Ingrid before showing her the deadlights and leaving her (mostly) catatonic.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taunts
Verb
-
The trailer confirms the return of James Marsden, who played the deceased President of the United States Cal Bradford, introduces the new character played by newcomer Shailene Woodley and teases the return of the deceased Billy who was played by Jon Beavers.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Dec. 2025
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The team teases a fight sequence involving the Ash People and the Wind Traders.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Dec. 2025
Noun
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By game time, Iran had been met with both jeers — as the national anthem played — and thunderous cheers — when Team Melli scored in the 2-2 tie.—
Saba Hamedy,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
-
Commencement speakers across the country have been met with widespread jeers over the past month, mostly in skeptical response to statements about a pending workplace evolution related to AI.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Today’s newsletter highlights Burt Jones mocks Rick Jackson’s explanation for missing today’s debate.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
1 June 2026
-
Sam mocks Blaine’s fear, reminding him that death comes for us all.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
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The adversaries made for a striking scene, exchanging insults in mutually unintelligible languages in the dead of night.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2026
-
Candidates also say the interim mayor must return order to meetings, which have become increasingly discordant as the public interrupts proceedings and occasionally hurls pointed insults at council members.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
15 June 2026
Noun
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Especially women, with all those drunken servicemen rolling through, packs of them, fights spilling out of the cafés, catcalls and spitting in the streets.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
For Dua, puberty and social maturity become knotted up in unpredictable notions of bodily harm (whether acted upon, or merely threatened), as Serbian boys and men harass her on the way home from school, lacing their catcalls with ethnic slurs.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Noun
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The screenplay from Christina Friel and Connor Wright tosses out the right sassy quips while the drag star-dominant cast get a bodacious opportunity to dance and sing, all making this an E-ticket ride that’s impossible to sashay away from without a big smile on your face.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
11 June 2026
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Whether captivating viewers with his effortless charm or displaying an emotional depth that belies his humorous quips, London Brown has carved out a space as both a dramatic force and an undeniable comedic standout.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
10 June 2026
Noun
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Arguments at local school-board meetings recite the outrages scripted every day on national talk radio and national cable news.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Apr. 2026
-
More recently, Tandy Hills experienced issues with ATVs being driven through the park and damaging wildflowers, sparking outrages on social media from people who demanded the city take action.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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These affronts to residents are not new and should never have happened.—
Jerry Shnay,
Chicago Tribune,
28 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Taunts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taunts. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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