gibe 1 of 2

variants or jibe

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
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 The gibe blew Quayle off the debate stage; then, just a few weeks later, Republicans won the White House in a landslide. Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2024 And Glaser launched a good-natured jibe at producer Benny Blanco. Joe Lynch, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
Noun
But the idea that many companies are struggling to achieve substantial returns jibed with another recent survey, by Akkodis, a multinational consulting firm. John Cassidy, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025 Joe Biden's Farewell Letter Takes 'Civil War' Swipe At Donald Trump By Khaleda Rahman National Correspondent 149 President Joe Biden has released a farewell letter to Americans, appearing to gibe President-elect Donald Trump. Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025 Thompson was dressed less formally, and gibed at Weinberger about his attire. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 4 Dec. 2023 But the Space Force decision was announced six months ago, and suggesting it’s at fault for the New Glenn delay doesn’t gibe with Blue’s previous statements. Tim Fernholz, Quartz, 26 Feb. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gibe
Verb
  • Lopez noted and mocked Johnson’s comments, sarcastically asking why the mayor didn’t blame it on other historic phenomena.
    Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025
  • For Gen Z, shaped by a hyper-online upbringing where missteps are often amplified and mocked, being obviously earnest can feel risky.
    Ruth Oh Reitmeier, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Jacob sneers, but doesn’t even wait for his son to answer.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 15 Aug. 2025
  • The single, meanwhile, is ushered in with a gripping bass line and an undercurrent of keyboards until Osbourne makes his grand vocal entrance, all sneers and snarls.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • Wednesday ridicules Pugsley for making a zombie.
    Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
  • One of the primary barriers to feeling completely safe with your partner is the fear of being judged, mocked and ridiculed for being honest or opening up.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Plato fled Syracuse, humiliated by the tyrants’ taunts.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
  • There was the infamous taunt, pointing to her ring finger during the NCAA championship game against Iowa, moments after Reebok signed her in an initial NIL deal.
    Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Often, our image of a toxic workplace is one where the boss yells at you or perhaps where you’re openly derided by co-workers or denied PTO.
    Ellen Whitlock Baker, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • At the same time, critics derided her stance and the subsequent decision of U.S. gymnast Simone Biles to back out of the all-around competition at that year’s Tokyo Olympics, where Osaka lit the cauldron, for her mental well-being.
    Sean Gregory, Time, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Republican Representative Barry Moore of Alabama left a town hall meeting through the back door on Thursday without delivering any closing remarks after being repeatedly booed and jeered by audience members.
    James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Raging at the decision, the 29-year-old Medvedev sprinted across the court to remonstrate angrily with Allensworth and whipped up a jeering New York crowd.
    Manasi Pathak, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Perhaps, like Elizabeth in the face of Darcy’s insult, Austen would also be prompted to spread spirited gossip about her heroine’s doubters and haters.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
  • When big gatherings of police and federal agents suddenly show up in residential areas, crowds often meet them with cell phone cameras, righteous indignation and insults.
    Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Perhaps on any other show at this time in America, that quip from a school teachers meeting would be the takeaway.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025
  • But most crucially, travel is a package that can be wrapped in the right curation of Instagram photos and tied up with a neat little Tony quip in the caption in lieu of a ribbon.
    Tres Dean, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gibe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gibe. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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