Synonyms of flout

flout

verb

ˈflau̇t 

as in to disregard

to ignore in a disrespectful manner

an able-bodied motorist openly flouting the law and parking in a space reserved for the disabled

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disregard
• despise
• forget
• dismiss
• overlook
• scorn
• neglect
• disparage
• pass over
• belittle
• slur (over)
• slight
• deprecate
• overpass

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• accept
• use
• approve

Synonym Chooser

How is the word flout distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of flout are fleer, gibe, jeer, scoff, and sneer. While all these words mean "to show one's contempt in derision or mockery," flout stresses contempt shown by refusal to heed.

flouted the conventions of polite society

When can fleer be used instead of flout?

In some situations, the words fleer and flout are roughly equivalent. However, fleer suggests grinning or grimacing derisively.

the saucy jackanapes fleered at my credulity

When would gibe be a good substitute for flout?

While in some cases nearly identical to flout, gibe implies taunting either good-naturedly or in sarcastic derision.

hooted and gibed at the umpire

Where would jeer be a reasonable alternative to flout?

Although the words jeer and flout have much in common, jeer suggests a coarser more undiscriminating derision.

the crowd jeered at the prisoners

When is it sensible to use scoff instead of flout?

The words scoff and flout can be used in similar contexts, but scoff stresses insolence, disrespect, or incredulity as motivating the derision.

scoffed at their concerns

When might sneer be a better fit than flout?

While the synonyms sneer and flout are close in meaning, sneer stresses insulting by contemptuous facial expression, phrasing, or tone of voice.

sneered at anything romantic

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of flout

The new Trump administration has also been accused of flouting court orders and deporting migrants without due process following campaign promises of mass deportation. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025

Gonzalez Rogers also referred the case to federal prosecutors to investigate whether Apple committed criminal contempt of court for flouting her 2021 ruling. —Josh Sisco, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025

Harvard also argued that by withholding funds, the Trump administration is violating the First Amendment, flouting federal law, and threatening life-saving research. —Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2025

The Supreme Court order to facilitate the return of Abrego Garcia is one that gave the administration some wiggle room in how to move forward, but lawyers for Abrego Garcia and others have accused the Trump administration of flouting the directive to seek his return. —Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!