heckle

heck·le

verb \ˈhe-kəl\

heck·ledheck·ling\-k(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of HECKLE

transitive verb

: to harass and try to disconcert with questions, challenges, or gibes : badger

— heck·ler \-k(ə-)lər\ noun

Examples of HECKLE

1. Several protesters were heckling the speaker at the rally.
2. The players were being heckled by the fans.
3. People in the crowd were booing and heckling as she tried to speak.

Origin of HECKLE

Middle English hekelen to dress flax, scratch, from heckele hackle; akin to Old High German hāko hook — more at hook

First Known Use: circa 1825

Related to HECKLE

Synonyms: bait, hassle, haze, tease, needle, ride, taunt

Related Words: deride, gibe (or jibe), jeer, mock, ridicule; annoy, bother, bug, burn (up), chafe, fret, frost, gall, get, gnaw (at), grate, gripe, hack (off), hagride, irk, irritate, itch, nag, nark [British], nettle, peeve, pester, pique, put out, rasp, rile, ruffle, spite, trouble, vex; aggravate, exasperate, goad, test, try; aggrieve, agitate, bedevil, beleaguer, discomfort, disturb, perturb; badger, dog, hound; browbeat, bully, hector; harass, harry, persecute, plague, terrorize, torment, torture

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See Synonym Discussion at bait

Rhymes with HECKLE

deckle, freckle, shekel, speckle