heckle

Synonym Chooser

How is the word heckle distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of heckle are badger, bait, chivy, hector, and hound. While all these words mean "to harass by efforts to break down," heckle implies persistent annoying or belligerent interruptions of a speaker.

drunks heckled the stand-up comic

Where would badger be a reasonable alternative to heckle?

The meanings of badger and heckle largely overlap; however, badger implies pestering so as to drive a person to confusion or frenzy.

badgered her father for a car

When might bait be a better fit than heckle?

While in some cases nearly identical to heckle, bait implies wanton cruelty or delight in persecuting a helpless victim.

baited the chained dog

When can chivy be used instead of heckle?

The words chivy and heckle can be used in similar contexts, but chivy suggests persecution by teasing or nagging.

chivied the new student mercilessly

When is hector a more appropriate choice than heckle?

The synonyms hector and heckle are sometimes interchangeable, but hector carries an implication of bullying and domineering.

football players hectored by their coach

When would hound be a good substitute for heckle?

Although the words hound and heckle have much in common, hound implies unrelenting pursuit and harassing.

hounded by creditors

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of heckle At a recent track meet in Orange County, more than two dozen adults, including three local school board members, heckled Hernandez for hours, at one point raising their voices so loud as to cause a false start in another event, Capital and Main reported. Brooke Migdon, The Hill, 27 May 2025 She’s spent almost every year since with her father in Section 114, in heckling distance of the visiting team’s tunnel. Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 1 May 2025 Hundreds of people heckled Vance’s presence while holding pro-Ukraine signs. David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2025 There’s this brick man who heckled us at one of my live events. Peter White, Deadline, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for heckle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heckle
Verb
  • For the last 15 years, Chicago’s drill rap scene has often led to fatal gun violence as rival artists trade insults and threats through their lyrics and social media taunts.
    Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2025
  • Both organizations claimed Hinton taunted deputies at his arraignment.
    Erin Glynn, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • After teasing a trek earlier this week, Paul McCartney has revealed that his Got Back Tour will return to North America this fall, the Beatles legend’s first tour stateside in four years.
    Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2025
  • Since last year, Justin Bieber has been teasing the launch of his new fashion brand, Skylrk.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • And of course, that following Sunday, Oliver did indeed mock his corporate bosses for the move.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 8 July 2025
  • Many wanted Tiger to comment, but others chose to mock Williams.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Heckle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heckle. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on heckle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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