as in teasing
to attack repeatedly with mean put-downs or insults
the principal reminded the student athletes that taunting their opponents was not showing good sportsmanship
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of taunting
Judy Berman, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
Running back Javonte Williams was fined $16,830 for unnecessary roughness (use of the helmet), center Brock Hoffman was fined $6,111 for taunting, and safety Donovan Wilson was fined $23,186 for unnecessary roughness (use of the helmet).
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
But the playoff run that included his father being banned from games after confronting and taunting Giannis Antetokounmpo and the NBA Finals loss, as well as Haliburton’s Achilles injury during that Finals run, is captured well.
—Jason Jones, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
These included letters from BTK himself, taunting police on being unable to catch him.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
In an age where departments of the United States government apparently engage in internet beef with musicians, Homeland Security is taunting Zach Bryan by using one of his songs in a video glorifying immigration enforcement officers.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2025
The last time he was seen by the public was in a short video released by Israel’s far-right security minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who was filmed taunting Barghouti in prison.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Political fevers heightened with the near‑constant barrage of national cable news, usually spun by left‑ or right‑leaning media and amplified by taunting tweets.
—Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
Taylor knows that even after all this battle, Olivia still loves her idol’s music — taunting her with her complicated devotion.
—Zach Schiffman, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Gilligan wants to see people from across the partisan spectrum interact face to face, instead of taunting each other online.
—Judy Berman, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
Running back Javonte Williams was fined $16,830 for unnecessary roughness (use of the helmet), center Brock Hoffman was fined $6,111 for taunting, and safety Donovan Wilson was fined $23,186 for unnecessary roughness (use of the helmet).
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
But the playoff run that included his father being banned from games after confronting and taunting Giannis Antetokounmpo and the NBA Finals loss, as well as Haliburton’s Achilles injury during that Finals run, is captured well.
—Jason Jones, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
These included letters from BTK himself, taunting police on being unable to catch him.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
In an age where departments of the United States government apparently engage in internet beef with musicians, Homeland Security is taunting Zach Bryan by using one of his songs in a video glorifying immigration enforcement officers.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2025
The last time he was seen by the public was in a short video released by Israel’s far-right security minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who was filmed taunting Barghouti in prison.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Political fevers heightened with the near‑constant barrage of national cable news, usually spun by left‑ or right‑leaning media and amplified by taunting tweets.
—Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
Taylor knows that even after all this battle, Olivia still loves her idol’s music — taunting her with her complicated devotion.
—Zach Schiffman, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taunting
Verb
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Bieber made his debut on Twitch yesterday with a stream that included footage of the singer playing basketball, shooting pool with friends and teasing his upcoming Coachella dates.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
23 Oct. 2025
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Samsung’s first Galaxy XR headset is now official, but that hasn’t stopped the company teasing future AR products.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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To get a sense of his whole deal, look no further than the half-mocking, half-earnest title of his latest album, Country!—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Earlier that day, Minaj had posted derisive comments about Roc Nation, suggesting the company had unsuccessfully tried to sign her.—
Andrew Flanagan,
Variety,
15 Oct. 2025
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Spokespeople turned away media requests for such information with a derisive laugh.—
Ron Kampeas,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Vice President Vance appeared on FOX News Channel’s The Ingraham Angle hours after the heckling incident, telling the host about visiting with the national guardsmen and discussing recent changes to the city, while briefly mentioning the protesters.—
Jillian Frankel,
People.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Where internet trolls often come off as flippant or spiteful, there is a relentless sense of play and mastery of language in even McNally’s most needling posts.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Taunting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taunting. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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