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 In response to Trump’s post, Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stressed the region’s free health care system and pointed out the differences in a gibe at the U.S. system. Kirsten Grieshaber, Fortune, 24 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 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
  • North Korea also conducted a series of tests last week that state media said involved various new weapons systems, including ballistic missiles armed with cluster-bomb warheads, while its senior officials issued statements ridiculing South Korean hopes for warmer relations.
    Greg Norman-Diamond, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026
  • North Korea conducted a series of tests last week that state media said involved various new weapons systems, including ballistic missiles armed with cluster-bomb warheads, while its senior officials issued crude statements ridiculing South Korean hopes for warmer relations.
    ABC News, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • While some celebrants have greeted these caricatures with cathartic jeers and sneers, others are shocked and outraged.
    Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 1 Apr. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • The failure to reach a quick deal was among of a pair of setbacks for Vance in recent days – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán also lost his reelection bid after Vance campaigned for him – that had critics mocking the vice president's political touch.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Vostrejs and his team at City Street Investors compiled the data and gave it to four design firms to mock up a concept.
    Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Not only did Clark’s team go on to win, the taunt — much like a number of other moments involving the sharpshooting former Hawkeye — went viral.
    Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
  • The bright, cheery room, decorated with technicolor serapes and paintings of idyllic tropical-village scenes, felt almost like a taunt.
    Daniel Brook, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • While some celebrants have greeted these caricatures with cathartic jeers and sneers, others are shocked and outraged.
    Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 1 Apr. 2026
  • On the Orioles’ opening day, the governor was introduced and greeted with a cacophony of boos and jeers.
    Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Players on other teams called him every racial insult.
    Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
  • To the Heat, relegated to the play-in for a fourth straight season is (or should be) an insult.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Politico had recently published text messages leaked from a Young Republicans group chat that contained quips about Hitler, gas chambers, slavery, and rape.
    Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Among the quips, Thompson’s Barkley tossed in the war in Iran, a cross-dressing political spouse, and the ongoing Artemis II mission to orbit the moon.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Loyal cinephiles have characterized the work as a deliberate affront.
    Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Perhaps the greatest affront to the tender sensibilities of teacher union activists has been the board’s success in approving charter schools.
    Will Swaim, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gibe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gibe. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.

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