Word
taunt
US/ˈtɔnt/
UK/tˈɔːnt/
Countable noun
Definition
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.
Examples
“He ignored the taunt and kept playing the game.”
“The crowd's constant taunts eventually led to a physical confrontation between the two rival teams.”
“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.”
Examples
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.”
Real-World Examples
“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.” “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.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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