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

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
The jeers were not heard at home thanks to the sound-selecting tech that replaces the boos with artificial cheers. Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026 But when the nation’s total score of 343 was announced, there were loud boos and jeers from the crowd in Austria. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 16 May 2026
Verb
For the remainder of the match, the crowd stayed vocal, cheering during Wave attacking build-ups and loudly jeering whenever a Bay FC player went down or a decision went against their team. Fernando Ramirez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2026 Part of the fans jeered as the team struggled. ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for jeer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jeer
Noun
  • On a night when Lee somehow turned a 73.2 mph snort into a home run, Chapman staged another losing battle while hoping for a conventional one.
    Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 15 May 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • Critics were quick to ridicule the new hire.
    Caleb Groves, AJC.com, 29 May 2026
  • When Pete Buttigieg floated a 15-member Supreme Court during his 2020 presidential campaign, for example, he was properly ridiculed by institutionalists.
    Washington Post Editorial Board, Twin Cities, 29 May 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
  • In the ongoing fight for women’s equal rights, Pawol had proved a female baseball umpire can be second-guessed, proved wrong and humiliated by technology and mocked by howling fans on social media just like a man can.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 2 June 2026
  • That staffer was later fired by Collins after posting a social media comment on behalf of the Collins campaign mocking a woman who attempted suicide after accusing Matt Lauer of rape.
    Irene Wright, USA Today, 1 June 2026
Noun
  • An elderly man offered a smirk for his mugshot after being arrested in a caught-on-camera hit-and-run involving a cyclist group.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
  • The prospect of doing it again with even larger stakes brought an excited smirk to Smart’s face.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Slot, who was the target of boos and jeers at the penultimate home game against Chelsea, has lost plenty of support among the fanbase and a growing number are calling for him to be replaced.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 28 May 2026
  • And while Reddick is the first to admit there were days in which Busch seemed like the enemy out on the track and received his share of boos from the fans throughout the years, those boos had been slowly transitioning into cheers over the past few years.
    Tricia Despres, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • There were snickers from some of the other students, including a tall and lank-haired kid whose name Adele didn’t know.
    Jonathan Franzen, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
  • Early never makes fun of Maddie, never lets the audience snicker at the screen.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 6 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Jeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jeer. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

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