jeer

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

Synonyms of jeer

• ridicule
• mock

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

He tried to ignore the jeering crowd.

The crowd jeered him when he struck out.

The prisoner was jeered by an angry mob.

Recent Examples on the Web

Lestat, now a contemporary rock star who writes songs about living openly undead, demonstrates his contempt for Interview With the Vampire by jeering at audience members who might have read it. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 2 June 2026

But not a word could be heard over the relentless jeering the Bay Area crowd directed toward her in the Valkyries’ 90-88 victory. —Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 29 May 2026

Or when their crowd were jeering Rogers? —Phil Hay, New York Times, 21 May 2026

Knicks fans booed, heckled and jeered Joel Embiid throughout Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 5 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

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