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
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
Noun
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 Corporate media consolidation doesn't jibe with democracy. Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2025 Even the acronym of GPS jibed with her view of how a kid’s own resourcefulness could be used as an inner compass. Shawn Price, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025 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
  • The principal of a Chicago elementary school that employs a teacher who appeared to mock the assassination of Charlie Kirk apparently portrayed the educator as a victim amid backlash over her behavior.
    Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
  • He has already been known to privately mock conservative pastors.
    Rev. Nathan Empsall, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Anderson plunges the audience into the rebels’ point of view, immersing us in the recalcitrant pride and swagger of Perfidia Beverly Hills, a revolutionary leader played by Teyana Taylor with a hypnotic sneer of defiance.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Jacob sneers, but doesn’t even wait for his son to answer.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Claiming victimhood was a cop-out; those who made accusations of assault were ridiculed.
    Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Beyond this, there has been a significant amount of backlash on social media, as users have ridiculed the move by Austin.
    Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That old taunt was never more appropriate than during the Chargers’ 38-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
    Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025
  • That’s when Tigers left-handed ace Tarik Skubal stepped out into the bullpen, and the taunts rained down.
    Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Given the ubiquity of stories and humanity’s vulnerability to them, citizens today would be wise to practice the skills of literary analysis, the very techniques routinely derided and devalued in a world committed to technology and tribalism.
    Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Taibleson defended her conservative credentials during her confirmation hearing, and both Democratic and Republican senators derided the opposition campaign.
    Lawrence Andrea, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • McIlroy has faced the brunt of the insults from spectators, who also jeered and yelled at his wife throughout the weekend.
    Chandelis Duster, NPR, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Hundreds of protestors jeered Netanyahu from the street outside the UN secretariat.
    Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • With every enemy dead, the familiar sounds of the Halo universe are gone — there’s no Grunts squeaking insults or Jackals chattering in another language.
    Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
  • And the West Colonnade got its own upgrade, complete with an insult for former President Joe Biden.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Spurrier had his quips come out of his mouth as opposed to Kiffin, who seems to be at his best on social media.
    Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Lundgren spoke about leadership and teamwork, but not before managing one quip.
    David Moin, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Gibe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gibe. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on gibe

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!