SuaviloquyToday’s word

taunt

Taunt, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Taunted; p. pr. & vb. n. Taunting.]

Etymology: [Earlier, to tease; probably fr. OF. tanter to tempt, to try, for tenter. See Tempt.]

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.

2 other Webster entries under this spelling

Taunt, a.

(Naut.)

Very high or tall; as, a ship with taunt masts. Totten.

Taunt, n.

Upbraiding language; bitter or sarcastic reproach; insulting invective. With scoffs, and scorns, and contemelious taunts. Shak. With sacrilegious taunt and impious jest. Prior.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for taunt; he lists it under sneer.

Where he writes about it:

A fling is careless and commonly pettish; a taunt is intentionally insulting and provoking; the sneer is supercilious; the taunt is defiant. — from sneer

Antonyms

none given