Definitions

taunting

[tawn-ting, tahn-] / ˈtɔn tɪŋ, ˈtɑn- /

ADJECTIVE

derisive

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cheeky disdainful insulting mocking rude sarcastic scornful

WEAK

cocky contemptuous crusty flip fresh gally jeering nervy out of line sassy scoffing smart smart-alecky

Antonyms

STRONGEST

kind nice polite respectful

WEAK

complimentary flattering praising

ADJECTIVE

jeering

Synonyms

STRONG

yelling

WEAK

raucous scornful

ADJECTIVE

sarcastic

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acerbic acid arrogant biting bitter brusque caustic derisive disparaging disrespectful mordant sardonic satirical saucy trenchant

WEAK

acerb acrimonious austere backhanded captious carping chaffing contemptuous contumelious corrosive cussed cutting cynical disillusioned evil hostile irascible ironical mean needling offensive ornery salty scorching scornful scurrilous severe sharp smart-alecky snarling sneering twitting weisenheiming

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bland calm complimentary courteous kind mild nice polite respectful sweet

ADJECTIVE

sardonic

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acerbic biting caustic derisive mocking mordant satirical

WEAK

arrogant bitter carping cynical disrespectful evil irascible mean nasty offensive salty scorching scornful sharp smart-alecky sneering wise

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm kind mild nice

ADJECTIVE

satiric

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acerbic biting caustic corrosive mocking mordant sardonic satirical trenchant

WEAK

acerb acid acrimonious arrogant austere backhanded bitter brusque captious carping chaffing contemptuous contumelious cussed cutting cynical derisive disillusioned disparaging disrespectful evil hostile irascible ironical jeering mean needling offensive ornery salty saucy scoffing scorching scornful scurrilous severe sharp smart-alecky snarling sneering twitting weisenheiming

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm kind mild nice

ADJECTIVE

satirical

Synonyms

STRONGEST

biting caustic incisive mordant sarcastic sardonic satiric

WEAK

abusive bantering bitter burlesque censorious chaffing cutting cynical farcical ironical lampooning paradoxical parodying pungent ridiculing spoofing

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm kind mild nice

ADJECTIVE

satirical/satiric

Synonyms

WEAK

abusive bantering biting bitter burlesque caustic censorious chaffing cutting cynical farcical incisive ironical lampooning mordant paradoxical parodying pungent ridiculing sarcastic sardonic spoofing

ADJECTIVE

scoffing

Synonyms

STRONG

acid backhanded biting bitter carping caustic chaffing corrosive cussed cutting disillusioned disparaging evil hostile jeering mean mocking mordant needling offensive scorching sharp snarling sneering twitting

WEAK

acerb acerbic acrimonious arrogant austere brusque captious contemptuous contumelious cynical derisive disrespectful irascible ironical ornery salty sardonic satiric satirical saucy scornful scurrilous severe smart-alecky trenchant weisenheiming

Antonyms

STRONG

agreeable bland calm complimentary good honest kind mild nice pleasant sweet

ADJECTIVE

teasing

Synonyms

STRONGEST

irritating joking mocking

STRONG

badgering bothering disturbing exasperating harassing kidding plaguing provoking ribbing tickling tormenting vexing

Antonyms

WEAK

comforting praising regaling

NOUN

ribbing

Synonyms

STRONGEST

banter taunt

STRONG

badgering badinage bothering chaff disturbing exasperating harassing irritating joking kidding mocking plaguing provoking raillery tickling tormenting vexing

NOUN

ridicule

Synonyms

STRONGEST

caricature contempt derision disdain jeer laughter mockery parody sarcasm satire scorn taunt

STRONG

badinage banter buffoonery burlesque comeback dig disparagement farce foolery gibe irony jab needling persiflage put on raillery roast slam sneer swipe travesty

WEAK

mordancy parting shot put down sardonicism

Antonyms

STRONGEST

admiration approval compliment flattery love praise respect

STRONG

commendation

NOUN

scorn

Synonyms

STRONGEST

derision disdain mockery ridicule sarcasm sneer

STRONG

contemptuousness contumely despisal despite disparagement disregard jeering scoffing slight sport teasing

WEAK

despisement scornfulness

Antonyms

STRONGEST

flattery praise respect

STRONG

compliment

WEAK

approval delight pleasure

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Owner Tara Zaman said they targeted the shop several times, "taking things" and "taunting" and "tormenting" her staff.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

Sean Duffy is even taunting Pete Buttigieg about it, in a bout of dreaded intra–transportation secretary violence.

From Slate • May 5, 2026

From my perspective as a political philosopher, these and other similar claims indicate he is speaking falsely as a way of demeaning or taunting his detractors.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026

Doncic and the Lakers appealed the call after he was given a technical for taunting against Orlando Magic forward Goga Bitadze in Saturday’s Lakers win.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026

“Don’t lecture me, Mr. Das,” she would say in a taunting voice.

From "Homeless Bird" by Gloria Whelan

taunting

Example Sentences

Related Words