English Reference
Noun

taunt

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US /ˈtɔnt/ UK /tˈɔːnt/ taunt UK spelling taunted, taunts

n.an insulting or mocking remark that you say to someone to make them angry or upset. It is often used to provoke a reaction during an argument or a game.

n.an insulting or provocative remark intended to provoke a reaction or to belittle someone. Often used in the context of verbal sparring or competitive environments.


SIMPLE

He ignored the taunt and kept playing the game.

CONTEXTUAL

The crowd's constant taunts eventually led to a physical confrontation between the two rival teams.

COMPLEX

While some athletes thrive under pressure, others find that a single verbal taunt from the opposing side can completely disrupt their focus and technical execution.

Reality TV contestant Stephen Bear taunted police by "bragging" he was on a beach in Brazil while he breached his requirements as a sex offender, a court has heard.

BBC News· 14 Aug 2026

The image, Higgins says is “gruesome, horrific”; she recalls Achilles’s taunt to Hector in The Iliad before he kills him that he will let his body become dog food.

The Guardian· 18 Aug 2026
This entry
Level C2 · Proficiency
Frequency Occasional
Updated