taunt
11 synonyms and 1 antonym for taunt, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To mock or provoke someone with insulting remarks, often to get a reaction.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To mock or provoke someone with insulting remarks, often to get a reaction.
“The fans taunted the opposing goalkeeper every time he touched the ball.”
Opposites
How to use taunt
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
taunt someone
racist taunts
trade taunts
Etymology
From Middle French tanter ("to tempt, provoke"), a variant of the word that also gave English "tempt" — the two are historical doublets.
Full origin of taunt →Frequently asked questions
What does “taunt” mean?
The word “taunt” means to mock or provoke someone with insulting remarks, often to get a reaction. In plain terms, to mock someone in a way meant to provoke or wind them up, or the mocking remark itself.
How do you pronounce “taunt”?
“Taunt” is pronounced tawnt (/tɔnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “taunt” in a sentence?
Here is “taunt” used in a sentence: “The fans taunted the opposing goalkeeper every time he touched the ball.”
What part of speech is “taunt”?
Depending on how it is used, “taunt” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “taunt” come from?
The word “taunt” comes from Middle French. From Middle French tanter ("to tempt, provoke"), a variant of the word that also gave English "tempt" — the two are historical doublets.
How many meanings does “taunt” have?
“Taunt” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to mock or provoke someone with insulting remarks, often to get a reaction.
