adj
taunting
TAWNT-ihng
Taunting (adj) means mocking or provocative in tone. Example: “He gave a taunting grin before taking the penalty.”
adj
1
Mocking or provocative in tone.
"He gave a taunting grin before taking the penalty."
noun
1
The act of mocking or provoking someone with insults.
"The referee cracked down on taunting between the two teams."
How to use taunting
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMocking behaviour or speech meant to provoke someone.
Common pairings
taunting remarks
a taunting tone
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Word forms
- Plural
- tauntings
- Comparative
- more taunting
- Superlative
- most taunting
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He gave a _____ grin before taking the penalty.
Etymology
From taunt plus -ing.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for taunting
See all rhymes for taunting →Frequently asked questions
What does “taunting” mean?
The word “taunting” means mocking or provocative in tone. In plain terms, mocking behaviour or speech meant to provoke someone.
How do you pronounce “taunting”?
“Taunting” is pronounced TAWNT-ihng (/ˈtɔnt.ɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “taunting” in a sentence?
Here is “taunting” used in a sentence: “He gave a taunting grin before taking the penalty.”
What part of speech is “taunting”?
Depending on how it is used, “taunting” can be an adjective and a noun.
How many meanings does “taunting” have?
“Taunting” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: mocking or provocative in tone.