Mild/Playful:
* Teasing: A lighthearted and playful form of making fun of someone.
* Joking: A way to use humor to make someone laugh, often with a bit of friendly ribbing.
* Ribbing: Good-natured teasing or mocking.
* Bantering: Exchanging light, playful remarks.
* Kidding: To act playfully, usually with the intention of being funny.
* Raillery: Humorous and light-hearted teasing.
More Serious/Negative:
* Ridiculing: To make someone appear foolish or ridiculous.
* Mocking: To imitate someone in a way that is intended to be insulting.
* Deriding: To express contempt for someone.
* Scoffing: To express scorn or disapproval.
* Jeering: To shout insults or taunts.
* Taunting: To provoke someone with insults or challenges.
* Humiliating: To make someone feel ashamed or embarrassed.
* Disparaging: To speak negatively about someone.
* Belittling: To make someone feel unimportant or insignificant.
Other Options:
* Sarcasm: To use irony to convey a different meaning than what is literally said, often with the intention of being insulting.
* Satire: The use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices.
The best word to use depends on the specific situation and the intent behind the action.