taunting
n. uncountablen. the act of saying mean or insulting things to someone to make them angry or upset. It is often done to tease someone or show that you are better than them.
n. the act of provoking or challenging someone with insulting or mocking remarks. Refers to the verbal or gestural expression of contempt intended to elicit a reaction.
The constant taunting from the other team made him lose focus.
Despite the taunting from the crowd, the athlete remained calm and finished the race in first place.
Psychologists suggest that persistent taunting in early childhood can lead to long-term social anxiety and a diminished sense of self-worth if not addressed by educators.
Often appears as a gerund-like noun; frequently paired with the preposition 'from' to indicate the source of the insults.