To make fun of someone in a mean or hurtful way, usually by mocking them or making them feel bad.
From Old French 'tanter' (to try or test), possibly influenced by 'tant' (so much). The meaning shifted to cruel mockery over time as the word evolved through Middle English.
Bullies throughout history have 'taunted' their victims, and the word shows up in ancient literature, medieval texts, and modern social media—it's one of humanity's oldest social behaviors with one of our oldest vocabulary words for it!
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