taunt (one) about (someone or something)

To mock, ridicule, or jeer at one about someone or something. The school bullies taunted Sarah about her brother, who had a severe intellectual disability. They were taunting me about the clothes I wore to work that day.

See also: taunt

taunt (one) into (doing something)

To provoke or incite one to do something by mocking, ridiculing, or jeering at them. The school bullies taunted Sarah into pulling the fire alarm as a prank. I kind of liked my mullet, but everyone at work taunted me into getting it cut.

See also: taunt

taunt (one) with (something)

1. To tease or torment one with something they cannot or should not have; to tantalize one with something. I'm trying to stick to my diet, but my roommate keeps taunting me with all the cakes and cookies she likes to bake. I loved taunting my friends with pictures of sunny beaches while I was on vacation in the Bahamas.

2. To arouse one sexually with something, especially with no intention of engaging in sexual activity with one. I've just never understood the appeal of strip clubs. You pay to go watch women taunt you with their exposed bodies and erotic dances, and then you just leave more sexually frustrated than when you arrived. She kept lifting up her skirt to taunt me with glimpses of her thighs.

See also: taunt

taunt someone about something

to mock, tease, or torment someone about something. Stop taunting me about something that happened years ago! Terry was being taunted about his gaudy tie, so he took it off.

See also: taunt

taunt someone into something

to mock, tease, or torment someone into doing something. The gang taunted Liz into taking unnecessary chances. Don was taunted into leaving the room.

See also: taunt

taunt someone with something

to tease or tantalize someone with something. Jerry taunted Fran with the plate of fudge. Please don't taunt me with food I shouldn't eat.

See also: taunt

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References in periodicals archive

But there was never an incident of a racist taunt driven by hatred unlike in other countries where acts of discrimination are meant to polarize, harm and create a sense of superiority because of ethnicity.

Strong no to racism

ATHENS: Centuries before Allied bomber crews began to send gleefully personalized ordnance to Adolf Hitler, it seems ancient skirmishers mastered the art of enemy taunts by slingshot.

Evidence suggests armies were once literate enough to insult one another

Last December, Craig Little, 13, saw a new student being taunted by a group of fellow seventh-graders.

The problem with bullies: for teens all over the U.S., bullying has become a serious health crisis

Five Peer Pride members taunted the family with racial slurs and demanded that they move out of the neighborhood.

The seven-stage hate model: the psychopathology of hate groups

I even had a junior high teacher who used to join in when the popular kids taunted a class outcast.

The Cruelty of Children

New Delhi [India], July 14 ( ANI ): The Congress party on Saturday jumped on the Twitter to comment about former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's arrest and taunt Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about his friendship with Sharif.

Congress taunts Modi for friendship with Sharif

Panfilo Lacson said the mayor's killing was practically a 'taunt' to authorities, noting similar attacks on priests, prosecutors and local officials.

Duterte: I told Halili not to get involved in illegal drugs

THE Spanish Football Federation were today facing an official inquiry into the shocking racist taunts which were repeatedly directed at England's players during their friendly in Madrid.

Football: DISGRACEFUL; Spanish face inquiry over racist taunts

Sheldon Lee Taunt, 25, of Portland, admitted to the judge that what he did was "extremely stupid." He and his defense lawyer sought leniency, citing Taunt's clean criminal record and the fact that his accomplice, Amber Lynn Williams, 20, of Eugene, wielded the gun.

Second carjacker-kidnapper sentenced to 8 years in prison

It doesn't surprise me that "Some furry little creatures are born to taunt rattlesnakes." This warning system is not limited to mammals.

Letters

Bank taunt lost me lbs EMMERDALE star Liam Fox has told how he lost five stone in six months - after being taunted by a boss.

Bank taunt lost me lbs [...]

I have to explain, as a Brummie, how ashamed I feel having just read your front page article about the way Matthew Weston was treated by a number of mindless individuals in the Selly Oak area ("Sick yobs taunt hero squaddie" Birmingham Mail, October 2).

Fury at yobs who taunted war hero; YourSay

Squirrels that have lost their resistance to venom still taunt snakes.

Hey, Snake--Rattle This!