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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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
-
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
-
The page gave a deep snort, hocking a chartreuse wad against the root of the nightingale’s birch.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
19 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
During the post-fight interviews, a frustrated Aspinall had lashed out inside the Octagon after the stoppage, swearing at the crowd for jeering him.—
Antonio Losada,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
-
McIlroy has faced the brunt of the insults from spectators, who also jeered and yelled at his wife throughout the weekend.—
Chandelis Duster,
NPR,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
McDonald’s is spreading a little festive sneer this holiday season with the release of a brand-new menu inspired by Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Nov. 2025
-
Burnett tried several versions in a row: first deadpan, then with a sneer of sarcasm, pursing her lips in judgment.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
No woman, under any circumstance, deserves to be insulted or humiliated.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Lee will later pop in to see Dan, the storefront lawyer next door, just to insult him by requesting a recommendation for a good lawyer.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There was no wink, there was no smirk.—
Mike Miller,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Fixed with a seemingly permanent half-smile — detractors called it a smirk — Cheney joked about his outsize reputation as a stealthy manipulator.—
Calvin Woodward,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Mamdani has many bold ideas to address this—some of which have been ridiculed—and not all will be achieved.—
Sally Susman,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Be outrageous, ridicule the fraidy-cats, rejoice in all the oddities that freedom can produce.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Love popped a timeout as Doubs clapped in frustration, and boos rained down from the home crowd.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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David Lynch’s incendiary fantasia divided audiences from the moment its Palme d’Or win provoked boos at Cannes.—
Matthew Jacobs,
Vulture,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Bostonians often deride our local pols’ national ambitions despite the fact that some of them have run for and won national office.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
6 Nov. 2025
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On the political right, the term is often condemned or derided.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Catcall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catcall. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
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