Single word or phrase alternative to a "tongue poke"? [closed]
Solution 1:
You’ve got it already—tease as a verb or noun, and its synonyms. I happen to like needle in the circumstances described in the question, but that’s a personal preference and a matter of style.
From https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tease#synonyms
Synonyms for tease Synonyms: Verb chaff, jive, joke, josh, kid, rally, razz, rib, ride, roast Synonyms: Noun baiter, harasser, heckler, mocker, needler, persecutor, quiz, quizzer, ridiculer, taunter, teaser, tormentor (also tormenter), torturer