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
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of taunts
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
But 36–23 still taunts and tantalizes us, a magical missing score that reminds every Scorigami devotee that what’s possible isn’t preordained.
—Josh Levin, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2025
Bully Ray envisioned a moment where a rival taunts the voiceless Knight.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 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
Verb
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
But 36–23 still taunts and tantalizes us, a magical missing score that reminds every Scorigami devotee that what’s possible isn’t preordained.
—Josh Levin, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2025
Bully Ray envisioned a moment where a rival taunts the voiceless Knight.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 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
-
Mykhailova teases him about being so much older than the other students in the program.—
Natalie Yahr,
jsonline.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The film teases monsters, human remains, and lost vessels without letting the audience experience the world beyond the hull.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Upon jeers from the crowd following the win, Putintseva cupped her hand to her ear to mock the fans, resulting in loud boos.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Todd said Norman notified the Fire and Police Commission of the trip in advance of it, which drew jeers from speakers.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Chelsea Handler honors Rob Reiner, mocks DiCaprio's 'Titanic' vacationNeed a news break?—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
-
There, Callahan mocks him, saying that killing him won't assuage Mike of his guilt.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The president also called Walz and Frey himself Monday after weeks of hurling insults and accusing the Democratic officials of inciting resistance to the crackdown.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The crowd, rapidly swelling into the hundreds, screamed insults and obscenities at the agents, some of whom shouted back mockingly.—
Jack Brook,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The musical prose hums with different accents, most evidently with Milena’s quips in French and Enzo’s Levantine lilt.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Trump’s quips about acquiring the island have ignited international concerns about Greenland’s independence and sovereignty from lawmakers in Washington and NATO allies alike.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
As has always been the case in my life, my main way of responding to political outrages is through writing and reading.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Rideout’s trial, for example, teemed with outrages.—
S. C. Cornell,
New Yorker,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Shaban’s chief response to this and other affronts is silence.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The dollar weakened amid affronts to the Fed’s independence, lower interest rates from the central bank and uncertainty about US policy decisions and tariffs.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
According to the police report, officers witnessed the spitting on video, but not the use of racial slurs.—
Marissa Armas,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Holman, at times, had to endure racist jokes and slurs, and got the silent treatment from some.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taunts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taunts. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
