taunt
Needle with words
To taunt is to mock or provoke someone with insulting remarks, often to get a reaction: The older kids taunted him about his stutter.
A taunt is the insult itself.
Taunting implies repeated or sustained mockery rather than a single jab—there's cruelty in it, an intent to wound or goad.
Vocal expression of scorn
- sneerScornful expression
- ridiculeContemptuous mocking treatment
- scoffMock with disdain
- gibeScornful teasing remark
jibe · razz · heckle · deride · lampoon · satirize · parody · caricature
Offensive remark or action
- slurInsulting group label
- epithetDescriptive tag for someone
- barbBackward-pointing spike
- jabQuick, straight blow
dig · crack · wisecrack · quip · retort · comeback · zingers · one-liner
jeer
Vocal expression of scorn
gibe · jibe · razz · heckle · deride · lampoon · satirize · parody · caricature · mimic
insult
Offensive remark or action
jab · dig · crack · wisecrack · quip · retort · comeback · zingers · one-liner · cutting remark
goad
Incite to action
incite · antagonize · rile · agitate · irritate · inflame · spur · trigger · stir · egg on
tease
Mock playfully
banter · chaff · razz · jest · joke · poke fun · playful · good-natured · lighthearted · friendly
harass
Persistently torment someone
- intimidateInstill fear to control
- tormentSevere prolonged suffering
- victimizeHarm someone deliberately
humiliate · demean · abuse · persecute · threaten · menace · pick on · gang up · target · single out
- intimidationthreats, threatening, menacing, intimidate, bullying
- tauntsneener neener, insults, insult, insulting, in your face
- verbal jabsinsult, burn, dis, roast, slam
- vocalizationsspeak, speaking, talking, whisper, shout
- agitateagitate, stir, rouse, disturb, rile up
- mockingmock, ridicule, tease, jeer, deride
tauntcompliment
Words expressing approval
praise · flatter · congratulate · commend · laud
- playground tauntsMocking remarks among children
taunting, taunts, taunted, tauntingly, taunter, taunters, tauntings