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
Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Sep. 2025
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
Noun
Garraty is forced to slap himself across the face to stay awake as Barkovitch taunts him.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Sep. 2025
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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Still, Jung teases the possibility that San-ho could live to protect Mun-ju again.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Phil initially teases Peter for being weak and effeminate.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them.,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Elon Musk wades back into UK politics, backs leader of new right-wing party, mocks rival.—
,
FOXNews.com,
29 Sep. 2025
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Student imitates Charlie Kirk's death and mocks him, goes up to statue where TPUSA members are and imitates his death again, and spits near them.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Throughout the weekend, McIlroy and other European players sparred with fans, provoking the Irish golfer in at least one instance to yell back at the crowd, while others flashed middle fingers in response to the jeers.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
-
McIlroy backed away, drawing jeers, before Lowry came over to settle him.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
On Saturday, McIlroy repeatedly had to step away from his golf ball as spectators shouted obscenities and personal insults at the Irishman.—
Jenna West,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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Antoni, a former Heritage Foundation economist, had come under fire for his history of social media posts that used economic stats for partisan purposes, sexist remarks, and insults targeting gay TV anchors.—
Ruth Umoh,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The comments were full of playful quips imagining what the pups might get up to behind closed doors.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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But the meeting was still often tense, with neighbors offering comments and quips while three representatives spoke.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This shame campaign, of course, is unlikely to put a dent in the NFL’s bottom line, just as previous outrages have failed to rattle this juggernaut, still the largest professional athletic league in the world by revenue.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
16 Sep. 2025
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As a result of that and other outrages, in 2008 voters passed Proposition 11, the Voters FIRST Act.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Bukele, after a disastrous month for his image, was not willing to tolerate any more affronts.—
Óscar Martínez & Carlos Martínez,
The Dial,
16 Sep. 2025
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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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Oregon fans also chanted in 2022, and in 2021, USC fans directed slurs toward BYU fans.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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Once, homophobic and antisemitic slurs were common.—
Neda Ulaby,
NPR,
27 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Taunts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taunts. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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