jeer 1 of 2

Definition of jeernext
as in snort
a vocal sound made to express scorn or disapproval ignored the jeers of the other team's fans and just focused on making her free throw shot

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

jeer

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word jeer distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of jeer are fleer, flout, gibe, scoff, and sneer. While all these words mean "to show one's contempt in derision or mockery," jeer suggests a coarser more undiscriminating derision.

the crowd jeered at the prisoners

When could fleer be used to replace jeer?

In some situations, the words fleer and jeer are roughly equivalent. However, fleer suggests grinning or grimacing derisively.

the saucy jackanapes fleered at my credulity

In what contexts can flout take the place of jeer?

The words flout and jeer can be used in similar contexts, but flout stresses contempt shown by refusal to heed.

flouted the conventions of polite society

Where would gibe be a reasonable alternative to jeer?

While the synonyms gibe and jeer are close in meaning, gibe implies taunting either good-naturedly or in sarcastic derision.

hooted and gibed at the umpire

When can scoff be used instead of jeer?

While in some cases nearly identical to jeer, scoff stresses insolence, disrespect, or incredulity as motivating the derision.

scoffed at their concerns

When is it sensible to use sneer instead of jeer?

The words sneer and jeer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sneer stresses insulting by contemptuous facial expression, phrasing, or tone of voice.

sneered at anything romantic

How is the word jeer distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of jeer are fleer, flout, gibe, scoff, and sneer. While all these words mean "to show one's contempt in derision or mockery," jeer suggests a coarser more undiscriminating derision.

the crowd jeered at the prisoners

When could fleer be used to replace jeer?

In some situations, the words fleer and jeer are roughly equivalent. However, fleer suggests grinning or grimacing derisively.

the saucy jackanapes fleered at my credulity

In what contexts can flout take the place of jeer?

The words flout and jeer can be used in similar contexts, but flout stresses contempt shown by refusal to heed.

flouted the conventions of polite society

Where would gibe be a reasonable alternative to jeer?

While the synonyms gibe and jeer are close in meaning, gibe implies taunting either good-naturedly or in sarcastic derision.

hooted and gibed at the umpire

When can scoff be used instead of jeer?

While in some cases nearly identical to jeer, scoff stresses insolence, disrespect, or incredulity as motivating the derision.

scoffed at their concerns

When is it sensible to use sneer instead of jeer?

The words sneer and jeer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sneer stresses insulting by contemptuous facial expression, phrasing, or tone of voice.

sneered at anything romantic

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 jeer
Noun
On the Orioles’ opening day, the governor was introduced and greeted with a cacophony of boos and jeers. Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2026 When Latino residents asked questions and voiced concerns, they were interrupted by jeers and groans from white members of the audience. Rafael Carranza, ProPublica, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
About 100 feet from the sheriff’s immaculate enclave, jailers who worked for Smith jeered as Mitchell shivered in his own waste, court records show. USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026 Video uploaded to social media shows the officers being battered by snowballs outside the rest rooms as dozens of parkgoers crowd around filming the cops and jeering at them. Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for jeer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jeer
Noun
  • My wife, meanwhile, guards against the occasional loud snort with one of the oldest and most elegant anti-snoring technologies ever devised: earplugs.
    Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Soon come the snorts, the heavy body of a second hog tottering heavily from the hut.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • He’s ostracized, bullied, ridiculed, beaten.
    Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The subject of this engaging biography is the eighteenth-and-nineteenth-century naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, who is often ridiculed as a faulty precursor to Darwin.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • While some celebrants have greeted these caricatures with cathartic jeers and sneers, others are shocked and outraged.
    Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 1 Apr. 2026
  • From the sneer of Billy Idol to the smooth sashaying of Sade, the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees amplify the institution’s commitment to recognizing a diverse slate.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The former housekeeper for Jenner further claims that she was mocked for her accent and degraded.
    Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
  • The diary writing nurtures an internal life by giving oxygen to what previously had been ephemeral, easily self-mocked as inappropriate, or troubling.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • With a smirk on his face, Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman interrupted the question.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Barcelona, created by a small group of rock-and-roll writers from Buenos Aires, approached news stories from Argentina and around the world with a smirk.
    Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • As Houser walked off the field, a few restless fans tossed boos in Houser’s direction.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
  • And still, Goodell was greeted by a loud chorus of boos.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The dialogue is overladen with snicker-worthy cliches, a swelling, melodramatic soundtrack that doesn’t match the mood, dubious cameos and plastic, perfunctory life-affirming quotes.
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
  • The event also had free opportunities to take photos, get ice cream snickers and have earned a Super Bowl post card.
    Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado Updated February 5, Sacbee.com, 5 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Jeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jeer. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.

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