hoot 1 of 2

1
as in shout
a loud vocal expression of strong emotion the courtroom erupted in hoots of laughter upon hearing the witness's sarcastic retort to the lawyer's arrogant remark

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2
as in snort
a vocal sound made to express scorn or disapproval he ignored the hoots and jeers coming from the back of the crowd and kept on speaking until he'd had his say

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3
4
as in scream
someone or something that is very funny that stand-up comic is a hoot

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hoot

2 of 2

verb

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 hoot
Noun
For most younger folks, the appearance of a drag queen offers the chance to hoot and holler, to have fun and show some support. Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2025 After the first big song, the couple next to us, stand up and hoot and holler, along with two young women behind them. Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
Scientists analyzed recordings of three groups of chimpanzees living in the Ivory Coast and found that chimps can combine their hoots, grunts and calls in a similar way to how humans use idioms or change the order of words to build new phrases. Evan Bush, NBC news, 11 May 2025 Karimloo, who more often plays serious types, brings a nice bit of comic undertones to the Pirate King, and Monsoon is an absolute hoot as the needy, conniving pirate nanny. Greg Evans, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hoot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoot
Noun
  • Was, who had been honored the night prior with the lifetime achievement award at the SFJAZZ Gala, also took the time to give a shout out to SFJAZZ’s executive artistic director.
    Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 16 June 2025
  • Noisemakers and shouts greeted the announcement of each graduate’s name.
    Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • Even so, some of Lucy’s pronouncements are so truly awful that a blunt snort of laughter is the only response.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 13 June 2025
  • Conclusion: The Crown is made for those who want the reliability of a Toyota SUV minus the snort and belch.
    Josh Max, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • And as far as luxurious treats go, well, the afternoon high tea there is not to be missed, and the theme changing monthly offers the strongest argument yet to treat oneself ad infinitum without giving a tinker’s damn about the current economy.
    Timothy DePeugh, Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2025
  • Since the death of Tom Petty meant an end to his primary job in 2017, Tench has still been visible in the background as a member of the house band in practically any tribute show that’s worth a damn.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Whistles and boos met Chelsea possessions and when Pedro Neto scored the opening goal for the Blues in the 13th minute, the cheers from the blue end of the field were overtaken by the screams of rebuttal from the Flamengo fans scattered around this massive stadium.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 20 June 2025
  • After all, what would be more appropriate for our moment than a franchise movie that devolves into a series of anguished and disjointed screams?
    Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Dodgers manager Dave Roberts immediately began hollering.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025
  • Elle Fanning, who plays a Hollywood starlet in the feature, wiped away tears and embraced Trier as the crowd whooped and hollered for her performance.
    Ellise Shafer, Variety, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump has repeatedly insulted Powell and called him names.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 26 June 2025
  • In particular, its retread of plot elements that had already been rehashed to death was annoying and borderline insulting at this point.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Yungblud’s voice — a piercing yelp that exists somewhere between Gerard Way’s wail and Brian Molko’s sneer — slotted him in the alt-rock world, but his aspirations seemed to stretch far beyond that categorization.
    Maura Johnston, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2025
  • His voice—typically pitched between a bellow and a sneer—was instantly recognizable to the couple that night.
    Air Mail, Air Mail, 3 May 2025
Noun
  • The most memorable offerings didn’t care a whit about product-testing strategies.
    Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025
  • Vie comes on the heels of Doja’s 2023 album Scarlet, whit hit No. 4 on the Billboard 200.
    Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 30 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoot. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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