jeer

1 of 2

verb

ˈjir 

jeered; jeering; jeers

intransitive verb

: to speak or cry out with derision or mockery

a jeering mob

transitive verb

: to deride with mocking and insulting remarks or sounds : taunt

was jeered by the crowd when he tried to speak

jeerer noun

jeeringly

ˈjir-iŋ-lē 

adverb

jeer

2 of 2

noun

: a mocking and insulting remark or sound : taunt

the jeers of the crowd

Synonyms

Verb

• ridicule
• mock

Noun

• snort
• sneer
• smirk
• boo
• snicker

Choose the Right Synonym for jeer

scoff, jeer, gibe, fleer, sneer, flout mean to show one's contempt in derision or mockery.

scoff stresses insolence, disrespect, or incredulity as motivating the derision.

scoffed at their concerns

jeer suggests a coarser more undiscriminating derision.

the crowd jeered at the prisoners

gibe implies taunting either good-naturedly or in sarcastic derision.

hooted and gibed at the umpire

fleer suggests grinning or grimacing derisively.

the saucy jackanapes fleered at my credulity

sneer stresses insulting by contemptuous facial expression, phrasing, or tone of voice.

sneered at anything romantic

flout stresses contempt shown by refusal to heed.

flouted the conventions of polite society

Examples of jeer in a Sentence

Verb

He tried to ignore the jeering crowd.

The crowd jeered him when he struck out.

The prisoner was jeered by an angry mob.

Noun

ignored the jeers of the other team's fans and just focused on making her free throw shot

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Those divides were on full display during Trump's joint address Tuesday night as Republicans issued rousing ovations throughout while Democrats jeered and protested a number of comments. —Martha McHardy, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025

The strike’s deadliest episode happened July 7 at 49th and Loomis streets, where several thousand people jeered and threw rocks at the Illinois National Guard. —Robert Loerzel, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025

Noun

Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, jeers South's peace moves South Korea shut down anti-North propaganda broadcasts, leaflets South Korea's liberal President Lee Jae Myung was elected after her predecessor was expelled for declaring marital law. —Jack Kim, USA Today, 28 July 2025

And Dietz was met with jeers and laughs when asserting that the Metro Nashville Police Department had no involvement in the arrests. —Austin Hornbostel, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

1561, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1625, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for jeer

• beer
• bier
• cheer
• clear
• dear
• deer
• drear
• ear
• fear
• fier
• gear
• hear

Kids Definition

jeer

verb

ˈji(ə)r

: to laugh at or criticize someone in a loud and angry way

jeer noun