taunt

1 of 2

verb

ˈtȯnt How to pronounce taunt (audio)
ˈtänt
taunted; taunting; taunts

transitive verb

: to reproach or challenge in a mocking or insulting manner : jeer at
taunter noun
tauntingly adverb

taunt

2 of 2

noun

: a sarcastic challenge or insult

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Taunt vs. Taut

Taunt and taut may easily be confused. The words are similar in spelling and pronunciation, though the resemblance does not extent to their syntax or meanings. Taut is an adjective that is most often used to refer to something that is pulled tight, like "a taut rope," or is bulging or filled to capacity, like "taut muscles." Taunt is a noun and a verb that refers to teasing or making fun of a person. That the two words sound similar creates confusion, and taunt, being the more common word, is sometimes substituted for taut. You can remember the difference between the two by remembering that tight and taut both lack the n of taunt.

Choose the Right Synonym for taunt

ridicule, deride, mock, taunt mean to make an object of laughter of.

ridicule implies a deliberate often malicious belittling.

consistently ridiculed everything she said

deride suggests contemptuous and often bitter ridicule.

derided their efforts to start their own business

mock implies scorn often ironically expressed as by mimicry or sham deference.

youngsters began to mock the helpless wino

taunt suggests jeeringly provoking insult or challenge.

hometown fans taunted the visiting team

Examples of taunt in a Sentence

Verb The boys continually taunted each other.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Its representatives taunted their opponents on social media. Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2024 He can be seen seemingly taunting his opponents mid-fight, rolling his shoulders similar to a dance move and fighting with a broad smile on his face. Ben Morse, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 How many times does a player have to get into something where they get punched or they get pushed or they get taunted right in their face? CBS News, 24 Feb. 2024 Her lawyers said she was left lying in her own urine on the floor of a cell as jail employees, apparently dismissing her as being drunk, taunted her. Mike Baker, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2024 Less common than posters that scold or taunt or threaten are those that entice people with Earth’s beauty. Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024 Green also exchanged words and taunts throughout the game with Suns center Jusuf Nurkic, the player Green was suspended for hitting in the face Dec. 12. Eric He, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2024 Anybody who has seen the video of Pitt forward Blake Hinson taunting the Duke student section from atop the scorer’s table at Cameron Indoor Stadium last weekend knows that the University of Miami faces a dangerous opponent Saturday afternoon. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2024 Then, once onstage, Drake seemed to taunt the crowd a bit. Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 24 Feb. 2024
Noun
Some were shouting taunts or making obscene gestures. Marianne Levine, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Over the years, from inside and outside prison, Navalny got under Putin’s skin as few other critics managed to do, daring to level taunts at the Russian leader alleging graft in his inner circle that were more direct and pointed than any opposition figure before him. Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2024 During Saturday’s game, a dramatic 113-112 Warriors victory, Green and Nurkic went back and forth with taunts. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2024 No one should have to listen to a few people – standing bravely behind fake names – lob racist or misogynistic taunts at them, or others. Greg Borowski, Journal Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2024 Later, when Nurkic disrespectfully turned his back to Green when the Warriors forward had the ball on the perimeter, Green scored over him and traded the taunt back. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2024 Now, the official Saudi response to these taunts is muted, and its policy toward its rivals is conciliatory. Bernard Haykel, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2024 The decision follows a 2020 incident in which Muller was accused of shouting racial taunts at victim John Mealor, knocking him unconscious before kicking him in the face. Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 26 Jan. 2024 Even with new faces, the taunts and trash talk are plentiful. Schuyler Dixon, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'taunt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

perhaps from Middle French tenter to try, tempt — more at tempt

First Known Use

Verb

1539, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1527, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of taunt was circa 1527

Dictionary Entries Near taunt

Cite this Entry

“Taunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taunt. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

taunt

verb
ˈtȯnt,
ˈtänt
: to provoke or challenge in a mocking or insulting manner : jeer at
taunt noun
taunter noun
tauntingly
-iŋ-lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on taunt

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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