What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
taunting
Example
He was taunting his opponent with insults during the game. [taunting: verb]
Example
The kids were taunting the new student, making fun of his accent. [taunted: past tense]
teasing
Example
She was teasing her friend about her crush on the new teacher. [teasing: verb]
Example
He took the teasing from his coworkers in good humor. [teasing: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Teasing is more commonly used than taunting in everyday language. Teasing is a common behavior among friends and family and is often used to create a sense of camaraderie or bonding between people. Taunting is less common and is usually associated with negative behavior.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between taunting and teasing?
Both taunting and teasing are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts. However, taunting is more likely to be associated with negative behavior and is therefore less appropriate in any context.
