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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of taunts
Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
In the present day, Ellen watches as MacKinny taunts Colum in front of a crowd of onlookers and rushes to stand by his side.
—Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taunts
Verb
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While fans of the whodunit franchise have a couple of months to go before finally getting some answers, the first trailer for Wake Up Dead Man teases much of the fun to come — including the identity of the latest murder victim.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Rosenfield, also the author of books like 2021’s No One Will Miss Her, teases that the novel is perfect for thriller fans craving something more.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This is why Dijon’s language works best as sound, not narrative—his rangy, raspy voice seethes and triumphs, mocks and threatens; there’s no world in which his polygonal perspective can be discerned from a lyric sheet.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
16 Aug. 2025
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After being told that Dawn is dead, Gaal mocks Demerzel for pretending to grieve, which angers the robot.—
Rafael Motamayor,
Vulture,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The match was halted for about six minutes as jeers, whistles and boos rang out around Louis Armstrong Stadium, with fans refusing to stay quiet so Bonzi could serve.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
28 Aug. 2025
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The women in red hats are met with eye rolls, indifference and jeers during Chicago City Council meetings.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Perhaps Florence might have learned to cast aside the envy that seemed to be suppressed only by her outbursts and insults, her ever-increasing appetite, a collection of maladies that seemed to anger and horrify her father even further.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
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When big gatherings of police and federal agents suddenly show up in residential areas, crowds often meet them with cell phone cameras, righteous indignation and insults.—
Daniel C. Vock,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Tosh will ‘throw in’ water slide Tosh, known for his sharp wit and creative humor, provided some personal photos and quips in the email announcing the listing.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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But a second couple, Sally (Zoë Chao) and Rory (Jamie Demetriou), while amusing presences, seem to exist solely to dispense quips and occupy seats at the table.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
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These constituencies view the sanctions and the tariffs as otherwise legal instruments weaponized for geopolitical purposes—and as direct affronts to Brazil’s democratic integrity.—
HUSSEIN KALOUT,
Foreign Affairs,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In its verdict, the jury said the singer will not have to pay any of the damages, and was not found guilty of Ellis' claims that the singer hit her, cut her face, spit on her and said racial slurs to her.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Moonshot, a group that targets online terrorism, found more than 44,000 slurs targeting South Asians in extremist online spaces during May and June of this year.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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In some states, the oppression and the indignities around reproductive health extends beyond menstruation to birth.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
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But Souleymane’s difficulties go beyond the usual indignities of scant pay and exhausting hours.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Taunts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taunts. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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