Learn English – the difference between taunt and ridicule

meaningword-choice

which one of these words is used as everyday English as well as means to despise someone and make fun of him for example because of his shape or Social status and so on

Best Answer

Ridicule and Taunt are very similar in meaning, but taunt has the additional meaning of inciting the person who is being taunted to a response.

Adolph, enraged at this taunt, flew furiously at his adversary, swearing and striking on every side of him (Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin), quoted in The Free Dictionary

ridicule, The Free Dictionary

The act of using words, gestures, images, or other products of expression to evoke laughter or contemptuous feelings regarding a person or thing: a remark that invited the ridicule of his classmates.

taunt, The Free Dictionary

  1. To reproach in a mocking, insulting, or contemptuous manner: taunted her for wearing hand-me-down clothes. See Synonyms at ridicule.

2a To drive or incite (a person) by taunting: His friends taunted him into asking for a raise.

2b To tease and excite sexually: taunted him with glimpses of skin

(emphasis added)

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