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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 He’s flouted democratic norms by threatening and even pursuing lawsuits against media companies that irk him, including Paramount, Comcast and the Walt Disney Co., which owns ABC. Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025 Van Hollen on Friday said that the Trump administration has for months been flouting the Supreme Court and the Constitution. Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 6 June 2025 Bryant appeared sympathetic to Leavenworth’s argument that the city would lose legitimacy if residents and businesses were allowed to openly flout local laws. Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025 The Highway Patrol did not flout the law, but its rationale for hiding officers’ names could. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for flout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flout
Verb
  • Yet the White House disregarded that Los Angeles’ mayor and California’s governor both objected to the deployment.
    Jeremy Pressman, The Conversation, 15 June 2025
  • In late May, Kennedy disregarded the committee and announced the government would change the recommendation for children and pregnant women to get COVID-19 shots.
    Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • And Trump’s targeting of college campuses for being havens of antisemitism has caused a backlash from liberals who might despise that strain of hatred, but find Trump equally as loathsome.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 23 June 2025
  • Superman, due July 11, is the first feature film set in the new DCU, and arguably one of the highest-stakes movies ever made, though Gunn despises that framing.
    Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • Hiking and Camping Deals Don't forget to check out our guide to the Best Day-Hiking Backpacks and the Best Travel Bags.
    Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 27 June 2025
  • And don’t forget to make your cleanup a breeze with this Eufy robot vacuum that’s $230 off for Prime members — the self-emptying machine uses smart technology to detect messy areas and does the cleaning for you.
    Nicol Natale, People.com, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Flout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flout. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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