taunt Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun aggravation by deriding or mocking or criticizing
    twit; taunting.
  2. verb harass with persistent criticism or carping
    rag; razz; bait; tantalize; twit; ride; tease; cod; rally; tantalise.
    • The children teased the new teacher
    • Don't ride me so hard over my failure
    • His fellow workers razzed him when he wore a jacket and tie

WordNet

Taunt adjective
Etymology
Cf. OF. tant so great, F. tant so much, L. tantus of such size, so great, so much.
Definitions
  1. (Naut.) Very high or tall; as, a ship with taunt masts. Totten.
Taunt transitive verb
Etymology
Earlier, to tease; probably fr. OF. tanter to tempt, to try, for tenter. See Tempt.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Taunted; present participle & verbal noun Taunting
Definitions
  1. To reproach with severe or insulting words; to revile; to upbraid; to jeer at; to flout.
    When I had at my pleasure taunted her. Shak.
    Syn. -- To deride; ridicule; mock; jeer; flout; revile. See Deride.
Taunt noun
Definitions
  1. Upbraiding language; bitter or sarcastic reproach; insulting invective.
    With scoffs, and scorns, and contemelious taunts. Shak.
    With sacrilegious taunt and impious jest. Prior.

Webster 1913