To taunt someone means to provoke or mock them with insulting words, trying to make them angry, upset, or embarrassed. When kids taunt a classmate, they might make fun of how they look, something they said, or a mistake they made. A bully might taunt someone who missed an easy shot in basketball, or taunt a nervous student who’s about to give a presentation.

Taunting goes beyond simple teasing because it’s meant to hurt. While friends might joke around with each other playfully, taunting has a mean edge to it. It’s designed to get under someone’s skin and make them feel bad or lose their temper. In sports, players sometimes taunt their opponents to throw them off their game, hoping anger will make them play worse.

The word can also be used as a noun: a taunt is the insulting remark itself. In stories, villains often deliver taunts to heroes, trying to make them reckless or doubtful.