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Definition of taunt

taunt

/tɔːnt/
taunt
Adverb:tauntingly
•
Plural:taunts
•
Adjective:taunting
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Past Simple:taunted
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Past Participle:taunted
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Present Participle:taunting
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taunt Lexical Profile

taunt Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A remark made in order to anger, wound, or provoke someone; a sarcastic challenge or insult.

Example

"The athlete ignored the loud taunts from the rival crowd and focused on the game."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• verb

1

To provoke or challenge someone with insulting or sarcastic remarks.

Example

"Older students were reprimanded after they began to taunt the newcomers in the hallway."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for taunt
Antonyms
View all antonyms for taunt

• Rhymes for taunt

• Nearby Words

tatty
tau
taughannock
taunt
taunter
tauntingly
taupe

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the early 16th century, probably from the French phrase tant pour tant ('so much for so much' or 'tit for tat'), originally referring to a witty rejoinder before shifting to mean a sarcastic or insulting remark.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Taunt. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/taunt
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