Taunt

A Taunt is a deliberately provocative remark or action intended to insult or wound someone. It's a form of verbal aggression designed to provoke a reaction, often anger or embarrassment, from the target. Taunts can range from playful teasing to malicious insults and are characterized by their intention to demean or belittle. They frequently highlight perceived weaknesses, insecurities, or failures. The effectiveness of a Taunt relies on the target's emotional response; a successful Taunt elicits a visible reaction. It's a form of social manipulation, aiming to exert power through verbal attack.

Taunt meaning with examples

• During the heated basketball game, the opposing team's fans began to Taunt the star player, yelling about his missed free throws. The player, visibly frustrated, lost focus and missed several more shots, demonstrating the effectiveness of the taunt. His teammates tried to console him and drown out the heckling.
• The bully decided to Taunt the new student about his accent and clothing, hoping to make him feel uncomfortable and isolated. The new student, however, ignored the taunts, showing no reaction, which frustrated the bully. Other students defended the new student by ignoring the bully too.
• The political rivals engaged in a televised debate where each candidate frequently attempted to Taunt the other with accusations of past failures and character flaws. The audience saw it as a low blow. The moderator struggled to regain order and focus the discussion.
• A sibling might Taunt their younger brother about his lack of athletic ability to gain the upper hand in an argument. It's a common, yet often hurtful, sibling dynamic. This might backfire if the brother proves them wrong.
• In the office, a disgruntled employee decided to Taunt his supervisor by openly questioning his leadership decisions during a meeting. This bold act surprised his colleagues, but it caused more professional damage. This led to an investigation and a reprimand for the employee.