taunt

This word carries a sharp, aggressive energy, focusing on the intent to destabilize an opponent's emotional state. It differs from simple teasing, which can be affectionate or lighthearted, by being explicitly designed to provoke anger, shame, or frustration through mockery. As a noun, it refers to the specific insulting utterance. While it is a countable noun, it is frequently used in the plural to describe a barrage of insults, such as the taunts of a crowd, emphasizing a repetitive and overwhelming psychological attack.