A taunt is a battle cry, sarcastic remark, gesture, or insult intended to demoralize or antagonize the recipient. Taunting can exist as a form of social competition to gain control of the target's cultural capital (i.e., status). In sociological theory, the control of the three social capitals is used to produce an advantage in the social hierarchy, to enforce one's position in relation to others. This can also be used as a tactic to gain advantage of their opponent's irrational reaction. Taunting is committed by either directly or indirectly encouraging others to taunt the target. The target may give a response in kind to maintain status, as in fighting words and trash-talk.

Taunts are also a genre of folklore according to "The Poetic Rites of Conversation," by John H. McDowell, published in the Journal of Folklore Research.

The practice of taunting has a rich historical context, dating back to ancient times. In medieval warfare, for instance, taunting was a common psychological tactic used to provoke enemies or undermine their morale. A notable example of this can be found in the account of the Battle of Agincourt (1415) during the Hundred Years' War. Before the battle, the English and French forces faced each other, exchanging taunts designed to provoke an attack. As recorded by eyewitness accounts, the two armies engaged in verbal sparring, with each side attempting to goad the other into making the first move. This psychological warfare was an integral part of the battle strategy, demonstrating how taunting has long been used as a tool in conflict.

The act of taunting can be learned by observation and improvisation. It usually follows linear thought, correlating or building in some manner to the target of taunting. Things such as the victim's appearance, intelligence, mannerisms, education, background, past offenses, etc. can otherwise be insulted. When used in this manner, the effectiveness of a taunt at provoking a response varies depending on how the specific insult relates to its victim (or their sense of self), to what level of offense they regard the taunt, and how well the victim can control their emotions when responding.

Taunts may be expressed in song. In the Eastern U.S. and Britain, the chant "Nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah", sung to the tune of "Bye, baby Bunting" is an insult among children. In the American South, this is often used as "Nanny nanny boo-boo" and repeated with words such as "You ca-an't catch me". In Hebrew, the taunt is "Na na, banana" or "Na-na-na banana" (means the same as in English). In French, the taunt uses syllables often rendered "Nananananère", and Swedish-speaking children use the phrase "Du kan inte ta mig" ("You cannot catch me"). There are several passages in the Hebrew Bible which have been described as "taunt-songs" or taunting songs, such as Isaiah 14:4-8, Habakkuk 2:6-8, and Zechariah 11:1-3.

Certain movements of one's body are, in many cultures, interpreted as a taunt. These can be expressed through the eyes, hands, fingers, head and other areas of the body.

A gesture in Japanese culture, made by pulling a lower eyelid down to expose the red underneath.

A raised, clenched fist is used as a gesture of defiance by a number of groups. It is usually considered to be hostile, yet without any sexual, scatological, or notionally offensive connotations. It is believed to have originally been used in the early 20th century as popular democratic symbol.