taunt

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun aggravation by deriding or mocking or criticizing
  2. verb harass with persistent criticism or carping

Etymology

From Middle French tanter (“to tempt, try, provoke”), variant of Old French tempter (“to try”). Doublet of tempt.

In classic literature

Synonyms

twit, taunting

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