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

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
But overall, the global findings jibe with other research that has demonstrated that young people today have been showing many positive trends, including a tendency to be more empathetic, less narcissistic, more inclusive and even more patient than past generations. Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 19 Mar. 2026 This forced the British to make jibes to get down to the bottom of the course while the Americans jibed just once, and that was the deciding factor in securing what went on to be an easy victory. Andrew Rice, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2026 Cronin’s system wasn’t jibing with a point guard who thrives in transition and a center unfamiliar with the paint. Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026 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 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
Noun
Mamdani hit back at Tuberville’s jibe, which falsely suggested that Mamdani or Muslims support terrorism. Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2026 Carr’s jibe struck me as weirdly TV-centric, in a very Trumpian sense. Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2026 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gibe
Verb
  • The deputies, in their testimony, said the songs ridiculed them.
    CBS News, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
  • The deputies, in their testimony, said the songs ridiculed them.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • From the sneer of Billy Idol to the smooth sashaying of Sade, the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees amplify the institution’s commitment to recognizing a diverse slate.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
  • Valarr asks Ser Duncan with a sneer.
    Noel Murray, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The film follows a clown, consumed by a desperate need for validation, who accepts a private booking, expecting a children’s party — only to discover his audience is a group of millennials and Gen Z adults who openly mock his performance.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
  • The company twisted the knife with Super Bowl ads mocking OpenAI’s slop, and Altman fired back, sniping that Anthropic wanted to be the traffic cop of AI.
    Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • That taunt came from the boys playing in Happy Hearts Park.
    Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Tkachuk was also caught on a live mic, giving German and Edmonton star Leon Draisaitl the taunt of the Olympics.
    Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • In an era in high school sports where boos, jeers, and uncalled-for chants are the status quo, Shelton steers fans to uplift rather than put down.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Oh, and one more thing, which becomes clear when every ball that ricochets off a fielder’s glove is greeted with jeers from onlooking teammates.
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Using obscene or abusive language Any use of profanity, insults or abusive language is prohibited under the FDCPA.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Please don't waste my time filling up the mailbox with big shiny cards that scream doomsday insults about your opponents.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • But eventually, nonstop quips give way to subtle observations on class, power, and, particularly during its second season, when Killface and Crews run opposing campaigns for president, the futility of electoral politics.
    Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
  • The quip was a clear reference to Turning Point's alternative Super Bowl halftime show, held by the right-wing organization in protest of Bad Bunny's performance.
    Edward Segarra, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Members of Israel’s far-right government called the investigation into their conduct an affront to their service.
    Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
  • The other is against sanctuary cities who see these crimes as secondary concerns and immigration law enforcement as an affront.
    Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 6 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gibe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gibe. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.

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