as in snort
a vocal sound made to express scorn or disapproval
the band's sloppy playing produced only catcalls from the crowd
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of catcall
Eric Hansen, Indianapolis Star, 5 Mar. 2020
When the 43-year-old came to the stage here at a university student center in the Detroit suburbs, about half of the crowd gave her a standing ovation – and the other half unleashed a chorus of boos and catcalls.
—Griff Witte, Washington Post, 16 Dec. 2019
There were catcalls from a disappointed Orediggers sideline, in an attempt to shout down the young Lions cornerback, who firmly stood his ground, wearing an unbeatable smile that’s a blessing of his genes.
—Mark Kiszla, The Denver Post, 30 Nov. 2019
Should the rare Dolphins touchdown bring cheers or catcalls?
—Jody Rosen, The New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2019
See All Example Sentences for catcall
Noun
Meet the Fighting Irish opponents, dates and locations for 2020, along with a prominent returning opposing player Indianapolis Star
SOUTH BEND — Brian Kelly hears the whispers, which sometimes probably feel more like catcalls.
—Eric Hansen, Indianapolis Star, 5 Mar. 2020
When the 43-year-old came to the stage here at a university student center in the Detroit suburbs, about half of the crowd gave her a standing ovation – and the other half unleashed a chorus of boos and catcalls.
—Griff Witte, Washington Post, 16 Dec. 2019
There were catcalls from a disappointed Orediggers sideline, in an attempt to shout down the young Lions cornerback, who firmly stood his ground, wearing an unbeatable smile that’s a blessing of his genes.
—Mark Kiszla, The Denver Post, 30 Nov. 2019
Should the rare Dolphins touchdown bring cheers or catcalls?
—Jody Rosen, The New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2019
See All Example Sentences for catcall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catcall
Noun
-
Soon come the snorts, the heavy body of a second hog tottering heavily from the hut.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The Rodents of Unusual Size that attack Westley in a swamp work because they are played by small men in rodent suits, rather than coolly conjured from pixels; their deliberate artifice is the thrill, and Reiner provided the voice for their hideous snorts.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
17 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Congress members cheer or jeer them.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Video uploaded to social media shows the officers being battered by snowballs outside the rest rooms as dozens of parkgoers crowd around filming the cops and jeering at them.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
From the sneer of Billy Idol to the smooth sashaying of Sade, the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees amplify the institution’s commitment to recognizing a diverse slate.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Valarr asks Ser Duncan with a sneer.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The issue has been highlighted in recent weeks after Real Madrid player Vinicius Junior said he was racially insulted by Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni during a Champions League match.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Mar. 2026
-
At least one person could be heard insulting the outspoken conservative, who died from cancer in December at the age of 91.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Reaves couldn’t muster even a smirk – his 3-point attempt to tie the game as time expired on Thursday, and potentially send the Lakers to overtime with the Phoenix Suns, didn’t drop.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Today, a Michigan coach might meet that saying with a smirk.—
Chantel Jennings,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Popular culture ridiculed large Latino families as backward and destined for poverty.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
-
For good measure, Grenell also accused the musician of intolerance and ridiculed him for being unpopular.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Nowadays, Megan Thee Stallion seems to be head over heels for her NBA boo, Klay Thompson.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Hearing some boos, Cristobal tried to win back the home crowd.—
Manny Navarro,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Bev had seemed to flinch whenever Margot derided their husbands.—
Shafiq Najib,
ABC News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Former Liverpool captain Alan Hansen was derided for saying that about Manchester United at the start of the 1995-96 season, which would end with Gary Neville, Nicky Butt, David Beckham and Paul Scholes (all 21) and Phil Neville (19) all clutching Premier League and FA Cup winners’ medals.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catcall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catcall. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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