Synonyms of taunt

taunt 1 of 2

verb

ˈtȯnt 

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

• tease
• mock
• annoy
• ridicule
• bother
• heckle
• bait
• ride
• irritate
• pick on
• torture
• needle
• plague
• jeer
• hassle
• haze
• try
• deride
• make game of
• harass
• bully
• trouble
• spite
• gibe
• goad
• irk
• torment
• vex
• rile
• pester
• disturb
• aggravate
• test
• exasperate
• nag
• burn (up)
• persecute
• bug
• peeve
• frost
• gripe
• itch
• ruffle
• badger
• gnaw (at)
• grate
• discomfort
• chafe
• agitate
• fret
• pique
• perturb
• hack (off)
• bedevil
• terrorize
• gall
• aggrieve
• put out
• dog
• hound
• browbeat
• get
• rasp
• nark
• nettle
• beleaguer
• hector
• harry
• hagride

taunt

2 of 2

noun

as in jeer

Related Words

• jeer
• sneer
• insult
• mock
• gibe
• quip
• affront
• slap
• barb
• dart
• slur
• sarcasm
• catcall
• indignity
• outrage
• slight
• abuse
• epithet
• invective
• poke
• vituperation
• disapproval
• dis
• brickbat
• dig
• name
• gird
• put-down
• offense
• attack
• criticism
• personality
• cut
• dishonor
• shame
• opprobrium
• swipe
• disgrace
• knock
• torment
• torture
• slam

Dissimilar Words

• compliment
• praise
• commendation
• applause
• acclaim
• flattery
• accolade
• adulation

Synonym Chooser

How is the word taunt distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of taunt are deride, mock, and ridicule. While all these words mean "to make an object of laughter of," taunt suggests jeeringly provoking insult or challenge.

hometown fans taunted the visiting team

When could deride be used to replace taunt?

The words deride and taunt are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deride suggests contemptuous and often bitter ridicule.

derided their efforts to start their own business

When would mock be a good substitute for taunt?

Although the words mock and taunt have much in common, mock implies scorn often ironically expressed as by mimicry or sham deference.

youngsters began to mock the helpless wino

In what contexts can ridicule take the place of taunt?

The synonyms ridicule and taunt are sometimes interchangeable, but ridicule implies a deliberate often malicious belittling.

consistently ridiculed everything she said

How is the word taunt distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of taunt are deride, mock, and ridicule. While all these words mean "to make an object of laughter of," taunt suggests jeeringly provoking insult or challenge.

hometown fans taunted the visiting team

When could deride be used to replace taunt?

The words deride and taunt are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deride suggests contemptuous and often bitter ridicule.

derided their efforts to start their own business

When would mock be a good substitute for taunt?

Although the words mock and taunt have much in common, mock implies scorn often ironically expressed as by mimicry or sham deference.

youngsters began to mock the helpless wino

In what contexts can ridicule take the place of taunt?

The synonyms ridicule and taunt are sometimes interchangeable, but ridicule implies a deliberate often malicious belittling.

consistently ridiculed everything she said

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of taunt

Verb

Having failed to secure a ticket, I was taunted with pitying one-upmanship by acquaintances who had had more success. —Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026

Then, guards who worked for the contractor Critical Response Strategies began taunting detainees, threatening to enter the cage where immigrants were held. —Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026

Noun

Tkachuk was also caught on a live mic, giving German and Edmonton star Leon Draisaitl the taunt of the Olympics. —Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026

His decision to perform his entire set in Spanish felt like a deliberate taunt directed at Americans rooted in tradition and familiar cultural experiences. —Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 11 Feb. 2026