heckle

verb

heck·​le ˈhe-kəl 

heckled; heckling ˈhe-k(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

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

fans heckling the opposing team

Synonyms of heckle

• taunt
• tease
• mock

Choose the Right Synonym for heckle

bait, badger, heckle, hector, chivy, hound mean to harass by efforts to break down.

bait implies wanton cruelty or delight in persecuting a helpless victim.

baited the chained dog

badger implies pestering so as to drive a person to confusion or frenzy.

badgered her father for a car

heckle implies persistent annoying or belligerent interruptions of a speaker.

drunks heckled the stand-up comic

hector carries an implication of bullying and domineering.

football players hectored by their coach

chivy suggests persecution by teasing or nagging.

chivied the new student mercilessly

hound implies unrelenting pursuit and harassing.

hounded by creditors

Examples of heckle in a Sentence

Several protesters were heckling the speaker at the rally.

The players were being heckled by the fans.

People in the crowd were booing and heckling as she tried to speak.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the couple days since the Internet began to heckle McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski for his less-than-convincing endorsement of the new Big Arch burger and then Burger King's sassy (shady) response, Wendy's has stepped up to the plate. —Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026

As the vote drew close, community members repeatedly heckled councilmembers and shouted complaints, leading Rowland to threaten to clear out the room. —Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2026

Jeff Probst heckling contestants during challenges. —Kristen Geil, Outside, 24 Feb. 2026

The project drew heckling from some residents and hours of debate before passing Feb 19. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for heckle

• decal
• freckle
• meckel
• shekel
• speckle
• thecal

Kids Definition

heckle

verb

heck·​le ˈhek-əl 

heckled; heckling -(ə-)liŋ 

: to interrupt with questions or comments usually with the intention of annoying or hindering

were heckling the speaker

heckler

-(ə-)lər 

noun