Armani SyedMike Isaac and Lauren HirschMonique El-FaizyJohn Cassidy
Did you know?
Confused about jibe and gibe? The distinction actually isn't as clear-cut as some commentators would like it to be. Jibe is used both for the verb meaning "to be in accord" or "agree" (as in "the results do not jibe with those from other studies") and for the nautical verb and noun referring to the act of shifting a sail from one side to the other ("jibe the mainsail," "a risky jibe in heavy seas"). Gibe is used as a verb and noun for derisive teasing or taunting. But jibe is also a recognized variant of gibe, so it too has teasing or taunting uses. Gibe has been used occasionally as a variant of jibe, but the use is not common enough to warrant dictionary entry, and is widely considered an error.
Examples of gibe in a Sentence
Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Thompson was dressed less formally, and gibed at Weinberger about his attire.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 4 Dec. 2023
But the Space Force decision was announced six months ago, and suggesting it’s at fault for the New Glenn delay doesn’t gibe with Blue’s previous statements.
—Tim Fernholz, Quartz, 26 Feb. 2021
U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
The contrary argument is that stronger presidential oversight gibes with American constitutional principles and would ensure greater political accountability to the voters for all of an administration’s initiatives.
—Alden Abbott, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Roy Keane’s ‘prawn sandwiches’ jibe had interesting origins.
—Michael Walker, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025
But even some Republicans weren’t happy with the nasty gibe.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2025
This is clearly a jibe at the earlier problems of Ola’s scooters and their infamous unreliability.
—New Atlas, 10 Feb. 2025
Does this cold snap jibe with the preseason winter forecast?
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025
In an apparent jibe about Mangione's arrest, social media users shared what looked like a post from McDonald's rival Burger King, suggesting the latter restaurant chain would not have informed the police.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
The gibe blew Quayle off the debate stage; then, just a few weeks later, Republicans won the White House in a landslide.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Gibe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gibe. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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