heckle

Synonym Chooser

How is the word heckle distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of heckle are badger, bait, chivy, hector, and hound. While all these words mean "to harass by efforts to break down," heckle implies persistent annoying or belligerent interruptions of a speaker.

drunks heckled the stand-up comic

Where would badger be a reasonable alternative to heckle?

The meanings of badger and heckle largely overlap; however, badger implies pestering so as to drive a person to confusion or frenzy.

badgered her father for a car

When might bait be a better fit than heckle?

While in some cases nearly identical to heckle, bait implies wanton cruelty or delight in persecuting a helpless victim.

baited the chained dog

When can chivy be used instead of heckle?

The words chivy and heckle can be used in similar contexts, but chivy suggests persecution by teasing or nagging.

chivied the new student mercilessly

When is hector a more appropriate choice than heckle?

The synonyms hector and heckle are sometimes interchangeable, but hector carries an implication of bullying and domineering.

football players hectored by their coach

When would hound be a good substitute for heckle?

Although the words hound and heckle have much in common, hound implies unrelenting pursuit and harassing.

hounded by creditors

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 heckle Following the game, manager Dave Roberts said that the fan had been heckling Ohtani relentlessly up to that point, though the decision to acknowledge him was a surprising one. Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025 Liam instead heckled the band from a balcony overlooking the stage. Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025 In rural Northern California, Representative Doug LaMalfa was heckled for ninety minutes by six hundred seniors at an Elks Lodge. Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025 These are not necessarily the fans most apt to slam Franklin on message boards after another close loss to Ohio State or heckle him from the stands at Beaver Stadium. Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for heckle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heckle
Verb
  • The two half-brothers had argued frequently, taunted one another online, and called each other derogatory names, both sides agreed.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Investigators have searched Robinson's home and interviewed family members, uncovering ammunition engraved with taunting messages and online activity suggesting radicalization.
    Amanda Castro Hannah Parry Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • As of Tuesday night, South Park’s X account still hasn’t teased any hints of what Episode 5 will be about, something the show has done consistently before the previous three episodes.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Cardi teased on Today about the follow-up to her smash 2018 debut LP, Invasion of Privacy.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Many on the right have reacted strongly to those perceived to be celebrating or mocking Kirk's death, calling for consequences such as losing their jobs or in Omar's case, being censured.
    Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Comedy Central responded to Kirk’s killing by pulling the episode mocking him from its regular rotation.
    Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 17 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Heckle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heckle. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on heckle

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!