TAUNTS Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

taunts 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of taunt

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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taunts

2 of 2

noun

plural of taunt

as in jeers

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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

Verb

Trump routinely mocks Newsom and refers to the governor using a derogatory nickname, while Newsom taunts the president with frequent social media posts. — Darlene Superville, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026 On the bridge, Sam taunts his brother before getting sucked out a hole in the observation window, graphically. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 30 July 2026 Cox will play the Ripper — real name Dom Frant — who no longer kills but still taunts survivors of his past crimes. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for taunts

Verb

Watch the trailer, which teases an intergalactic and perhaps inter-dimensional mission.

— Katie Campione, Deadline, 25 July 2026
Mike Flanagan teases his approach to The Mist, likening it to his Carrie TV series.

— Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 25 July 2026

Definition of teases

Noun

If, for example, a commencement speaker praising the value of artificial intelligence is met with jeers from graduates – as former Google CEO Eric Schmidt was in May 2026 – the speaker’s message is immediately rendered inert.

— Evan Clarkson, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026
With boos and jeers ringing around Expo Idaho at the referees, AC Boise continued to pepper the Portland box with dangerous crosses and shots.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 18 July 2026

Definition of jeers

Verb

Trump routinely mocks Newsom and refers to the governor using a derogatory nickname, while Newsom taunts the president with frequent social media posts.

— Darlene Superville, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026
By and large, the General Assembly mocks his policy proposals and ignores his leadership.

— Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2026

Definition of mocks

Noun

There’s blood and insults and exasperation and pain and horror.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
The amendment aims to prevent players from hiding insults or other abuse — including discriminatory remarks — behind their hand, arm or jersey.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of insults

Noun

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

Definition of catcalls

Noun

Sure, the Russo brothers lay on the quips and fan service a little thick, but after 11 years and 21 movies, they’re allowed to indulge.

— EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026
The same is true of Shannon’s gift for eviscerating quips and Feimster’s talent for proudly shouting inappropriate things, both on full display.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026

Definition of quips

Noun

Look, of the outrages, these are like the least among them, as far as being upset with the administration, with the president.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 June 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

Definition of outrages

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“Taunts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taunts. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of taunts

verb

noun

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