verb
taunt
tawnt
verb
1
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."
"He taunted his brother until they ended up in a shouting match."
noun
1
A scornful or mocking remark aimed at provoking someone.
"She ignored the taunts from the crowd and kept running."
How to Use Taunt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo mock someone in a way meant to provoke or wind them up, or the mocking remark itself.
Common pairings
taunt someone
racist taunts
trade taunts
Word Forms
more taunt comparative, taunted past tense, taunts plural, Taunts plural, taunts singular, most taunt superlative
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The fans _____ the opposing goalkeeper every time he touched the ball.
Etymology
From Middle French tanter ("to tempt, provoke"), a variant of the word that also gave English "tempt" — the two are historical doublets.