as in taunting
to attack repeatedly with mean put-downs or insults
the players were heckled by disappointed fans
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of heckling
Jillian Frankel, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Thomas Cangelosi, Hartford Courant, 4 Jan. 2026
This behavior often sat on the margins of social acceptability; commentators described the bathers as lewd and unruly, flaunting their bodies and heckling passersby.
—Jacob Beckert, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2025
Lorey presented videos to Fox News Digital that showed other spectators at the game heckling the girls in attendance who were there with Lorey.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Also at the vigil, British Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy vowed to never stop fighting terrorism amid heckling from the crowd.
—Peter Wilkinson, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Actress and comedian Heather McMahan stepped down as emcee for the Ryder Cup after she was heard heckling and cursing at golfers during the championship game over the weekend.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 29 Sep. 2025
The Bethpage crowd had been brutal, heckling players throughout the weekend.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
In April, a Cleveland Guardians fan was ejected after heckling Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran, who had just recently opened up about a past suicide attempt.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025
The audience was heckling Flood throughout his answer, then erupted in a crescendo of boos at his conclusion.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Vice President Vance appeared on FOX News Channel’s The Ingraham Angle hours after the heckling incident, telling the host about visiting with the national guardsmen and discussing recent changes to the city, while briefly mentioning the protesters.
—Jillian Frankel, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
Jeering bluejays and cawing crows break the silence, seemingly heckling my unwelcome presence.
—Thomas Cangelosi, Hartford Courant, 4 Jan. 2026
This behavior often sat on the margins of social acceptability; commentators described the bathers as lewd and unruly, flaunting their bodies and heckling passersby.
—Jacob Beckert, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2025
Lorey presented videos to Fox News Digital that showed other spectators at the game heckling the girls in attendance who were there with Lorey.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Also at the vigil, British Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy vowed to never stop fighting terrorism amid heckling from the crowd.
—Peter Wilkinson, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Actress and comedian Heather McMahan stepped down as emcee for the Ryder Cup after she was heard heckling and cursing at golfers during the championship game over the weekend.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 29 Sep. 2025
The Bethpage crowd had been brutal, heckling players throughout the weekend.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
In April, a Cleveland Guardians fan was ejected after heckling Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran, who had just recently opened up about a past suicide attempt.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025
The audience was heckling Flood throughout his answer, then erupted in a crescendo of boos at his conclusion.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heckling
Adjective
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To get a sense of his whole deal, look no further than the half-mocking, half-earnest title of his latest album, Country!—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Pittsburgh appeared to go three-and-out on its second drive, but Cleveland's Rayshawn Jenkins was called for taunting.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Dec. 2025
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While negligible to his overall earnings, the penalty fits the league’s recent crackdown on celebrations and taunting, as several players were fined earlier this season for similar actions.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Earlier that day, Minaj had posted derisive comments about Roc Nation, suggesting the company had unsuccessfully tried to sign her.—
Andrew Flanagan,
Variety,
15 Oct. 2025
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Spokespeople turned away media requests for such information with a derisive laugh.—
Ron Kampeas,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The former Nickelodeon sitcom stars posted a new video on Instagram Wednesday, teasing what appeared to be a casual interaction as Peck sipped on a large drink in a plastic container.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Nov. 2025
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The Japan Mobility Show is in full swing in Tokyo, and some of the largest automotive brands in the world are debuting and teasing vehicle concepts that could shape their future portfolios.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Where internet trolls often come off as flippant or spiteful, there is a relentless sense of play and mastery of language in even McNally’s most needling posts.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Heckling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heckling. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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