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

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of flout Arizona's Department of Health Services fined Full Spectrum Lab $120,000 flouting the state's cannabis testing anti-nepotism law. Ray Stern, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025 When seeing injustice portrayed on the screen, viewers brought with them the images that have been burned into global consciousness after nearly two years of siege on Gaza—images of children killed, hospitals bombed, and international law flouted with impunity. Faisal Kutty, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025 Their press run has been a salvo for rap purists who miss artists talking to actual journalists, not athletes, fellow artists, or streamers who claim to be such while flouting journalistic ethics. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 27 July 2025 Outlets like The Daily Wire spelled out in brutal detail why confining healthy people to house arrest—while elites flouted the rules—was not just ineffective but downright destructive to society. Houman Hemmati, Oc Register, 20 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for flout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flout
Verb
  • Perhaps the most significant finding in the survey presented by the Design Museum is one that the curators disregard in their presentation: The design of more-than-human design protocols has scarcely begun.
    Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
  • The appeals court said the jury should have gotten a more thorough explanation of its options, which could have included disregarding all of Hernandez’ confessions, according to the Associated Press.
    Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 28 July 2025
Verb
  • This is a warning to all those who despise creepy-crawlers and live in the Southwest and West.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 29 July 2025
  • And that’s just an example of all the people and value sets that Ron would despise, because Ron is a good person.
    Todd Gilchrist, IndieWire, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Tristano said the 30-year-old incident and Jack in the Box’s previous failure to conquer the Chicago market during its first go-round will likely be forgotten by most consumers in the 2025 reboot.
    Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
  • It was announced well before the release of Cyberpunk 2077 and mostly forgotten about in the wake of the disastrous launch of that game.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Flout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flout. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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