smack talk
Competitive verbal needling
Smack talk is boastful or insulting speech directed at an opponent or rival, meant to intimidate, provoke, or assert dominance.
Common in sports and competitive gaming: There was plenty of smack talk before the big match.
The phrase is interchangeable with trash talk, though smack talk may sound slightly softer.
Insulting to provoke
- jeeringVocal public mockery
- hecklingHostile audience interruption
- gloatingSmug triumph display
- provocationAct that triggers response
intimidation · mind games · boasting · bragging · posturing · swagger · bravado · showboating
taunting
Insulting to provoke
provocation · intimidation · mind games · boasting · bragging · posturing · swagger · bravado · showboating · one-upmanship
insults
Disparaging remarks
- disrespectLack of regard
- belittleTo make something seem unimportant
- mockeryScornful ridicule or travesty
ridicule · scorn · contempt · derision · demeaning · disparage · denigrate · vitriol · abuse · offensive
banter
Playful, teasing exchange
ribbing · chaffing · razzing · trolling · joking · zingers · jabs · wisecracks · burns · comebacks
- locker room talkcrude jokes, dirty jokes, bragging, boasting, razzing
- mockerymockery, ridiculing, jeers, jeering, jibes
- provocationbaiting, goading, taunting, incitement, instigation
- slangslang, jargon, lingo, argot, cant
- tauntstaunts, taunt, taunting, neener neener, insults
- teasingtease, teasing, rib, ribbing, josh
smack talkpraise
Expression of approval
compliment · encouragement · flattery · kind words · commendation
smack talksportsmanship
Ethical athletic conduct
good sportsmanship · respect · fair play · mutual respect · props
talk, smack, talks, talking, talker, talked, smacker, smacking, smacks