gibe 1 of 2

variants or jibe
Definition of gibenext

gibe

2 of 2

noun

variants or jibe

Synonym Chooser

How is the word gibe distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of gibe are fleer, flout, jeer, scoff, and sneer. While all these words mean "to show one's contempt in derision or mockery," gibe implies taunting either good-naturedly or in sarcastic derision.

hooted and gibed at the umpire

Where would fleer be a reasonable alternative to gibe?

The words fleer and gibe are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fleer suggests grinning or grimacing derisively.

the saucy jackanapes fleered at my credulity

When is it sensible to use flout instead of gibe?

In some situations, the words flout and gibe are roughly equivalent. However, flout stresses contempt shown by refusal to heed.

flouted the conventions of polite society

In what contexts can jeer take the place of gibe?

The synonyms jeer and gibe are sometimes interchangeable, but jeer suggests a coarser more undiscriminating derision.

the crowd jeered at the prisoners

When might scoff be a better fit than gibe?

While the synonyms scoff and gibe are close in meaning, scoff stresses insolence, disrespect, or incredulity as motivating the derision.

scoffed at their concerns

When could sneer be used to replace gibe?

Although the words sneer and gibe have much in common, 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 gibe
Verb
Tate makes the case that the consistent proportion of students earning a 1400 or higher on the SAT doesn’t jibe with the fall in NAEP scores. Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026 The findings jibe with previous evidence that deforestation brings humans in more contact with creatures that spread deadly diseases. Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 15 Jan. 2026 The allegations in his case, which jibe with those in the Maduro indictment, have roots reaching back even further to 1999. Jay Weaver january 8, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026 When the Dickinson fascicles were turned over to Mabel Loomis Todd, Susan’s crucial position as primary audience for Emily’s poetry became an inconvenient and irrelevant piece of information that did not jibe with the popular image of a nineteenth-century poetess. Via Chronicle Books, Literary Hub, 11 Dec. 2025 Such concerns appear to jibe with rising public concerns about the cost of food, housing and other necessities. Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025 He was pressured all night by linebackers Micah Parsons and Rashan Gary and the offense didn’t jibe well for the most part. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025 Parmar himself acknowledged that the clinic’s casual, community-like style might not jibe with every population. Helen Ouyang, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2025 Sometimes those wants don’t jibe. R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
Leno later said he felt humiliated by Kimmel’s jibe. Greg Evans, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025 The foolishness of the governor’s gibe was underscored by the progressive, staunchly anti-Trump Democratic mayor of San Jose. U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025 The contrary argument is that stronger presidential oversight gibes with American constitutional principles and would ensure greater political accountability to the voters for all of an administration’s initiatives. Alden Abbott, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 Roy Keane’s ‘prawn sandwiches’ jibe had interesting origins. Michael Walker, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025 But even some Republicans weren’t happy with the nasty gibe. Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2025 This is clearly a jibe at the earlier problems of Ola’s scooters and their infamous unreliability. New Atlas, 10 Feb. 2025 Does this cold snap jibe with the preseason winter forecast? Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025 In an apparent jibe about Mangione's arrest, social media users shared what looked like a post from McDonald's rival Burger King, suggesting the latter restaurant chain would not have informed the police. Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gibe
Verb
  • The move was ridiculed by lawyers outside Paul Weiss, and more than 140 alums of the firm signed a letter assailing it as well.
    Meg Kinnard, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
  • And for that, he was ridiculed.
    Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
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
  • Khaby Lame, a Senegalese-Italian influencer with more than 160 million TikTok followers, became an international sensation for his wordless reactions mocking overly complex viral videos.
    J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Mahan, who made a name for himself by criticizing the governor on homelessness, found himself in the hot seat with Hilton, who mocked a recent interview in which Mahan praised Newsom’s progress in reducing homelessness at the state level, an about-face from earlier comments.
    Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Cornyn’s campaign responded with a taunt over Paxton’s divorce and cheating scandal.
    Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Only the ice would dare utter such a taunt to the Quad God.
    Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • There were jeers when Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario took too long on the ball, groans whenever anyone turned backwards, and boos when Antoine Semenyo put City 2-0 up.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
  • Upon jeers from the crowd following the win, Putintseva cupped her hand to her ear to mock the fans, resulting in loud boos.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Rockrohr used both sides of this visual coin, telling of groundwork done by the late Harry Teshima to bring Black residents into the community and tales of lasting friendships and stories of insults thrown at Black students.
    Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
  • The scuffles came amid an already intense night, with tensions fueled by a brutal press conference on Thursday for the title fight between Lopez and Stevenson, during which the boxers exchanged insults about each other’s family members.
    Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Along with another allusion to his quip about Lucien’s death, that simile establishes the Anglo-Irish author as a terrifying counter-example of homosexual exposure.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
  • Romo recalled of his cheeky quip.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • On January 13, Halligan responded, using language that could most charitably be viewed as an affront to any jurist, certainly a federal judge.
    Miles J. Zaremski, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026
  • Even McClean, brought up on the Creggan estate in Derry where six of the Catholic men shot dead by British troops on Bloody Sunday were from, explaining his stance — that to wear the poppy would be an affront to his community — did nothing to stop the abuse.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gibe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gibe. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.

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