taunt

UK: /ˈtɔːnt/ US: /tɔnt, tɑnt/ ,(tônt, tänt)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

taunt¹ /tɔnt, tɑnt/   v. [~ + object]

1. to make fun of or insult, often to get someone to do something:
   He taunted them with shouts of "Sissies!'' but they ignored him.

n. [countable]

2. a mocking remark, made as a challenge or an insult.

taunt•er, n. [countable]
taunt•ing•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

taunt¹  (tônt, tänt), v.t. 

1. to reproach in a sarcastic, insulting, or jeering manner;
   mock.
2. to provoke by taunts;
   twit.

n. 

3. an insulting gibe or sarcasm;
   scornful reproach or challenge.
4. [Obs.] an object of insulting gibes or scornful reproaches.

• origin, originally uncertain 1505–15

taunt′er, n. 
taunt′ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. censure, upbraid, flout, insult.
• 2, 3. jeer. See ridicule. 
• 3. scoff, derision, insult, censure, ridicule.

taunt²  (tônt, tänt), adj. [Naut.]

1. Nautical, Naval Terms tall, as a mast.

• origin, originally uncertain 1490–1500

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

taunt / tɔːnt/ verb (transitive)

1. to provoke or deride with mockery, contempt, or criticism
2. to tease; tantalize

noun

1. a jeering remark

Etymology: 16th Century: from French phrase tant pour tant like for like, rejoinder

ˈtaunting adjective