as in to tease
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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as in jeer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of taunt
Paulina Dedaj, Fox News, 15 Feb. 2025
Investigators said that before he was arrested, Tabler called the Bell County Sheriff’s Office to taunt deputies about the murders and threatened to kill more employees and undercover law enforcement at the strip club.
—Jim Vertuno and Michael Graczyk, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 22 Jan. 2025
Here's what could happen this week: Stevenson is fined: Stevenson could be fined by the league for his taunts, but also by the Bears for his lack of focus on the final play.
—Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 28 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for taunt
Verb
The social media war shifted when Lyles taunted Hill after winning the 60-meter race at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix earlier this month.
—Paulina Dedaj, Fox News, 15 Feb. 2025
Investigators said that before he was arrested, Tabler called the Bell County Sheriff’s Office to taunt deputies about the murders and threatened to kill more employees and undercover law enforcement at the strip club.
—Jim Vertuno and Michael Graczyk, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025
Noun
Playful taunts after a Livingstone player missed two free throws ... that can’t be repeated in a family-friendly newspaper.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 22 Jan. 2025
Here's what could happen this week: Stevenson is fined: Stevenson could be fined by the league for his taunts, but also by the Bears for his lack of focus on the final play.
—Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 28 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for taunt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taunt
Verb
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The intrigue: McGuire also teased a new concept for the project's next phase: a 3,500+ seat music venue.—
Kyle Stokes,
Axios,
28 Feb. 2025
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Editor's Note: Nothing has already teased the Nothing Phone (3a) series, which will arrive on March 4.—
Julian Chokkattu,
WIRED,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The atmosphere was loud but not quite unruly, barring some jeers at the start of the Canadian national anthem.—
Louisa Thomas,
The New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2025
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Those who chose to drive onto Tesla’s parking lot were met with jeers.—
Stephanie Lam,
The Mercury News,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Cuba’s foreign minister mocked NED on social media.—
Peter Roskam,
National Review,
26 Feb. 2025
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Musk also mocked people who criticized the order on X, noting that workers could respond by asking an AI chatbot — such as Grok, owned by X — to create a list of accomplished tasks.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The playful sneers of the Scherzo gave way to a snarling, gnashing Intermezzo, the orchestra and especially the low brass giving it their sardonic all.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2025
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Shows like this often get labeled as comfort food, which is sometimes delivered with a sneer.—
Brian Grubb,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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During a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Brazil in November 2023, Messi and Rodrygo exchanged insults.—
Felipe Cardenas,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
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The jury found that on Aug. 19, after Stanford revoked her access, Mangi logged into the study database and replaced patient medical data with erroneous information and insults about her former supervisor, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.—
Jason Green,
The Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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This time around, that famous Drake diss track tumbles to fourth place.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
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The diss comes just days after Soulja previewed one of his own.—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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But even some Republicans weren’t happy with the nasty gibe.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
6 Mar. 2025
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Trudeau, whose approval ratings were already on a decline before Trump took aim at Canada, was criticized by both liberal party allies and conservative adversaries for his tepid response to the president’s gibes and threats.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
3 Sep. 2019
Noun
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Offerman also poked fun at himself with quips about his monotone voice and his appearance.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
3 Mar. 2025
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During his opening monologue, O’Brien mocked the Emilia Pérez scandal and made comical quips about Wicked, A Complete Unknown, The Brutalist and Conclave.—
Lexy Perez,
The Hollywood Reporter,
2 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to taunt
Cite this Entry
“Taunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taunt. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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