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
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 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
Noun
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
  • The event’s host, the actress Florence Foresti, openly mocked the movie’s prominence there.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Protestors were seen holding banners and placards expressing their frustration about Vance and the wider U.S. administration, as well as mocking the vice president.
    Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Think of the public dissection of and collective sneer toward pop darlings suffering mental health crises, like Britney Spears or Lindsay Lohan, or the contemptuous treatment of Hillary Clinton during her 2016 presidential run.
    Maya Salam, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Up front, its face is a far more rectilinear sneer.
    Brett Berk, Robb Report, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • The rapper also allegedly called Gables a homophobic slur and ridiculed his poor hearing.
    Mekishana Pierre Published, EW.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • At a time when much of the media is bowing to Trump, the opening of the show’s new season ridiculed his megalomania, his intimidation of the media and his manhood.
    Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Clips from the premiere quickly spread through social media, with the show’s signature crude humor proving a hit—many were satisfied to see schoolyard taunts used against a president known for punching down.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
  • Authorities said the surviving victim purportedly yelled a taunt that is offensive to Sureños gang members at the suspects, who were wearing blue and making gang signs.
    Jason Green, Mercury News, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • Nottingham Forest This time last year Forest fans were derided for their lofty, seemingly unfounded levels of optimism, following two years of fighting relegation.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025
  • CeeDee Lamb took it a step further with a tweet deriding the pomp and circumstance surrounding the negotiations and imploring the Cowboys to sign Parsons.
    Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The rappers spent part of 2024 trading diss tracks in what turned out to be one of the most high-profile beefs in hip-hop history.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
  • After years of collaborating with DJ Khaled, the 28-year-old rapper had a pointed diss for the Miami artist in a new track teased on a livestream.
    Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 30 July 2025
Verb
  • When a Tesla Cybertruck—which has effectively become a symbol of Musk himself—stopped alongside the protest, protestors began jeering.
    Andrew R. Chow, Time, 13 Aug. 2025
  • They were followed for blocks by hundreds of men and boys jeering in Hebrew and English.
    Jake Offenhartz, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Several diss tracks followed, with the musicians hurling increasingly spiteful insults at each other relating to accusations of domestic abuse, exploitation and pedophilia.
    Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2025
  • According to a cell phone video, obtained through CAIR, the man shouted several Islamophobic insults, including insults attacking Islam and the Prophet Muhammad.
    Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 11 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gibe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gibe. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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