Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
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.

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

And that unopened brick of air-dry clay that’s taunting you?

From MarketWatch • Feb. 23, 2026

There was also an image of Gabriel Martinelli taunting Wolves' fans with a "2-1" gesture, only to look daft when Arsenal conceded that late leveller.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

The taunting slogan of a 1990 Sega advertising campaign was “Genesis Does What Nintendon’t.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

This girl either actually believes all that made-up crap or she's taunting me.

From "Legend" by Marie Lu