hoot 1 of 2

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
The comments are a hoot Fire and Braids named The Republic's best tamale in metro Phoenix. Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 16 Dec. 2024 Our driver, Stu, was a hoot and snuck in a couple of impromptu stops at Baldwin Street, the world’s steepest street, and the historic Dunedin Railway Station, an architectural landmark considered to be the most photographed building in New Zealand. Lois Alter Mark, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
Expect to hoot and holler while watching. Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2025 Addison doesn’t hoot and holler around the locker room. Alec Lewis, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for hoot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoot
Noun
  • His ensemble choice got a shout out from Cannes chief Thierry Fremaux prior to the screening, prompting Skarsgard to turn around and shake his backside.
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025
  • And, in typical Goodison fashion, the occasional irate shout or boo for good measure.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • The scenes on set in this episode are all comic gold, from Billy dashing to his tent for generous snorts between takes to a musical number that culminates in Teenjus healing a young man who then tosses his crutches away and breakdances.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Some friends prescribed a healthy snort of bourbon and a trip to the doctor.
    Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • And as far as luxurious treats go, well, the afternoon high tea there is not to be missed, and the theme changing monthly offers the strongest argument yet to treat oneself ad infinitum without giving a tinker’s damn about the current economy.
    Timothy DePeugh, Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2025
  • Since the death of Tom Petty meant an end to his primary job in 2017, Tench has still been visible in the background as a member of the house band in practically any tribute show that’s worth a damn.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Outside, Jamie had witnessed the congestion and the screams of fans, begging the police to do something about it.
    Simon Hughes, New York Times, 19 May 2025
  • Party boats and vacation resorts are just an arm’s reach away, but instead of providing hope, their music serves to drown out the screams.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Director James Madigan’s bone-crunching debut features a full-throttle performance from the underrated Josh Hartnett and irresistibly embraces its B-movie-ness, encouraging audiences to hoot, holler, groan and laugh.
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 7 May 2025
  • For most younger folks, the appearance of a drag queen offers the chance to hoot and holler, to have fun and show some support.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2025
Verb
  • On a trip into town, Lucas gets into a scuffle with another boy who’s insulting their late mother, hurting him.
    Jocelyn Noveck, Boston Herald, 9 May 2025
  • Later, the man Husk is chasing, Bob Mathews (Nicholas Hoult), follows him to a hunting ground and insults Husk’s chain-smoking, suggesting his smell keeps the elk away.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • In a movie climate where remakes tend to draw sneers of derision and claims that people have just gotten too lazy to invent anything new, Disney’s remakes of its own products are always a chief target.
    Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025
  • But the moralistic sneer didn’t take long to enter the postgame analysis.
    Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The most memorable offerings didn’t care a whit about product-testing strategies.
    Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025
  • Vie comes on the heels of Doja’s 2023 album Scarlet, whit hit No. 4 on the Billboard 200.
    Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 30 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoot. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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