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 In Fort Madison, Iowa, Tuesday, concern about whether Trump would defy the Supreme Court was one of several issues that voters heckled Sen. Chuck Grassley about at an angry town hall. Susan Page, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025 Also on Tuesday evening, Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa was heckled by constituents at a town hall, The Associated Press reported. Joe Walsh, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2025 Electronics aside, yelling, heckling and the use of profanity are also direct violations of gallery etiquette and could result in removal from the event. Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 12 Apr. 2025 The British band James had an extremely rough time playing right before Korn in 1997, facing nonstop heckling, even if Korn themselves loved them. Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 30 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for heckle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heckle
Verb
  • Becky taunted Valkyria’s fiancee, who was in the crowd.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • The older Haliburton stormed the floor and taunted Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo after the game.
    Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 4 May 2025
Verb
  • Prevost was so dedicated to becoming a priest, his brother would tease him about being the pope.
    Chris Kenning, USA Today, 11 May 2025
  • However, the new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has teased an agreement over the terms for such a ceasefire as Kyiv's allies meet in the Ukrainian capital this weekend.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • Read: The attack on trans rights won’t end there The impossible becoming possible is a hard thing to process—and easier to reject or mock than to understand.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025
  • Film director Wes Anderson mocked President Donald Trump over his plan to slap tariffs on foreign films made outside of the United States.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Heckle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heckle. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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