hoot 1 of 2

Definition of hootnext
1
as in shout
a loud vocal expression of strong emotion the courtroom erupted in hoots of laughter upon hearing the witness's sarcastic retort to the lawyer's arrogant remark

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2
as in snort
a vocal sound made to express scorn or disapproval he ignored the hoots and jeers coming from the back of the crowd and kept on speaking until he'd had his say

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3
4
as in scream
someone or something that is very funny that stand-up comic is a hoot

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hoot

2 of 2

verb

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 hoot
Noun
Their hoots and hollers drowned Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s explanation of how a title defense fell short. Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 31 May 2026 Periodically, Spider-Noir is, indeed, a hoot. Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
Verb
The speakers do break down a bit at the absolute extremes of their bass and treble support, succumbing to slight crackling and hooting with extended heavy bass drops and marginally distorting the very brightest treble sounds. John Archer, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2026 House the La Vista Baby hooted at Don’t Ate the Player, Ate The Game and Waulesi Asadye. Literary Hub, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hoot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoot
Noun
  • Clive and Roosevelt at last heard the shouts of the others and the wild baying cry of the lead dogs, unable to bring the bear to a full bay but easily able now to keep it in sight.
    Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026
  • His earlier display of emotion made the song’s meaning hit even harder — and as the crowd erupted into jumps and shouts of glee, Smith stood there, a grin growing on his lipsticked mouth.
    Ellise Shafer, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The class had been quiet after the camp text, but now there was at least one snort.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
  • The Rodents of Unusual Size that attack Westley in a swamp work because they are played by small men in rodent suits, rather than coolly conjured from pixels; their deliberate artifice is the thrill, and Reiner provided the voice for their hideous snorts.
    Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • And if that is to be the case, most Chicagoans do not give a damn whether the team goes to Arlington Heights or Hammond.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2026
  • In a world of drivers mostly ruled by their corporate sponsors, Busch was an otherworldly talent who simply did not give a damn.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2026
Noun
  • Thom begins kicking Robert, but before that fight can escalate, there’s a scream from inside the house.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
  • According to police records, a father dropping off two of his children for daycare heard screams coming from the basement.
    ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • As players and coaches hooted and hollered for Richman’s win, Mills socked a cheering Richman with a right hook to his facemask.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Nearby, other passengers screamed and hollered for their lives.
    Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026
Verb
  • The two proceed to deceive each other, insult each other’s appearances, and abandon each other in precarious situations.
    Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
  • At the time, TMZ reported that the fight started when the other inmate, whose identity was not made public, insulted the rapper.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Their chorus of howls and yowls was all that kept them connected to the hunters who lagged far behind.
    Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Somewhere in the heated mist hovered the howls of Albert Ayler and the clarion call of his brother Donald’s trumpet, followed by the Ornette Coleman Quartet, saluting him with joyous cacophony.
    Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2026
Noun
  • Monica Bellucci’s sneer is a thing of wonder, so why have so few directors used it properly?
    Jay Weissberg, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The film’s sincerity — the quality critics praised most — was met with a sneer rather than a response.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 6 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Hoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoot. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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