jeer 1 of 2

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

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
Random eruptions of cheers, when goals went in, and jeers, when the opponent did something to ridicule, blended. Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 2025 The message came after his 2015 appearance garnered jeers from the crowd. Elvia Limon - 09, The Hill, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
Please remember that while property owners may jeer the recent price declines – if not question the math – long-suffering house hunters see these dips as a glimmer of hope. Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025 Raging at the decision, the 29-year-old Medvedev sprinted across the court to remonstrate angrily with Allensworth and whipped up a jeering New York crowd. Manasi Pathak, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jeer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jeer
Noun
  • The upgraded exhaust system is a delight, burbling happily at idle, accompanying acceleration with a happy snort.
    Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Rapace’s response externalizes four different beats, from a snort to a tear, astonishment to anger.
    Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Mamdani has many bold ideas to address this—some of which have been ridiculed—and not all will be achieved.
    Sally Susman, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Be outrageous, ridicule the fraidy-cats, rejoice in all the oddities that freedom can produce.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Anderson plunges the audience into the rebels’ point of view, immersing us in the recalcitrant pride and swagger of Perfidia Beverly Hills, a revolutionary leader played by Teyana Taylor with a hypnotic sneer of defiance.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Jacob sneers, but doesn’t even wait for his son to answer.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Spicer was voted out after eight weeks of mocking from social media and the show’s judges.
    Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Brown said, mocking the press headlines.
    Zack Sharf, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • There was no wink, there was no smirk.
    Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Fixed with a seemingly permanent half-smile — detractors called it a smirk — Cheney joked about his outsize reputation as a stealthy manipulator.
    Calvin Woodward, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Love popped a timeout as Doubs clapped in frustration, and boos rained down from the home crowd.
    Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
  • David Lynch’s incendiary fantasia divided audiences from the moment its Palme d’Or win provoked boos at Cannes.
    Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Early never makes fun of Maddie, never lets the audience snicker at the screen.
    Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The carnage leads to a sigh of an epilogue that seems, without giving anything away, like a curious letdown, a cruel little snicker from Aster that doesn’t entirely satisfy.
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 15 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Jeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jeer. Accessed 22 Nov. 2025.

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