1
as in shouts
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in snorts
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in damns
the smallest amount or part imaginable
I don't give a hoot whether you want to go or not—you're going
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in screams
someone or something that is very funny
that stand-up comic is a hoot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hoots
Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 31 May 2026
Wiseman said to hoots from the crowd of media gathered at the site.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Owl hoots are most effective at striking up turkeys when owls are naturally active, which is around dawn and dusk.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026
Cowboy and cowgirl hoots and hollers complement the rumbling of the massive animals’ hooves as they’re rounded up into the corrals.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 28 Dec. 2025
There are hoots and hollers from raucous tourists on Bourbon Street, for example.
—Matt Alderton, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
There are a few hoots and hollers as the others agree or protest.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2025
All the segments understand the assignment, aiming primarily to elicit hoots and hollers.
—James Grebey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
The town hall crowd received my comments with strong clapping and appreciative hoots and hollers.
—Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025
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
Wiseman said to hoots from the crowd of media gathered at the site.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Owl hoots are most effective at striking up turkeys when owls are naturally active, which is around dawn and dusk.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026
Cowboy and cowgirl hoots and hollers complement the rumbling of the massive animals’ hooves as they’re rounded up into the corrals.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 28 Dec. 2025
There are hoots and hollers from raucous tourists on Bourbon Street, for example.
—Matt Alderton, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
There are a few hoots and hollers as the others agree or protest.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2025
All the segments understand the assignment, aiming primarily to elicit hoots and hollers.
—James Grebey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
The town hall crowd received my comments with strong clapping and appreciative hoots and hollers.
—Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoots
Noun
-
The girlfriend of the adult, who had gone looking for the three, heard shouts for help, and emergency crews were called to the scene.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
9 Dec. 2025
-
It’s permeated with prayer and bold instrumental music before the service, which 2819 calls a gathering, officially begins, with hands already lifted amid shouts of praise.—
Charlotte Kramon,
Fortune,
7 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The swine respond with raspy snorts and spine-rattling squeals.—
Bennet Goldstein,
jsonline.com,
4 July 2025
-
They’re comforted by the hoots of owls and snorts of pig frogs.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
Sean Kaufman and Christopher Briney locked licks on the Jumbotron.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Nov. 2025
-
Sexy guitar licks and a groovy rhythm couple together to create a fiery, catchy tune.—
Audrey Gibbs,
Nashville Tennessean,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Her endless screams and sobs echo back to the agonized wailing of The Mist’s David Drayton, who murdered his child and friends for nothing.—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
The episode met with an enthusiastic response from the Taormina audience with squeals of disgust when Aemond seemingly leans into kiss his mother on the lips; as well as cheers, shocked screams and collective gasps as characters fought to the death, sometimes triumphing and sometimes not.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
1 Dec. 2025
-
Everybody howls at the truth of that.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
21 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Now, Sherry — who insults the other chefs choosing to serve bread — is, essentially, serving bread.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
19 May 2026
-
Amsterdam insults its people by thinking regulating speech will change behavior.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
5 May 2026
Noun
-
Russia celebrates, Ukraine cries, and the United States of America is diminished.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Aug. 2025
-
Or in the cries of that newborn child?—
Ed Simon
August 18,
Literary Hub,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
After the crowd was getting restless with some boos, Mexico has added to its lead.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
-
As Broadway star Avery Wilson sang the National Anthem, the camera faded to a shot of Trump saluting the flag, and MSG erupted into boos.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hoots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoots. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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