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

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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
Upon jeers from the crowd following the win, Putintseva cupped her hand to her ear to mock the fans, resulting in loud boos. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 23 Jan. 2026 Todd said Norman notified the Fire and Police Commission of the trip in advance of it, which drew jeers from speakers. David Clarey, jsonline.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
The 25-year-old appears to have gone off the boil, and has been jeered by fans at the Bernabeu on more than one occasion this season. Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026 But he was overwhelmed by the jeering chorus of students. Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jeer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jeer
Noun
  • Soon come the snorts, the heavy body of a second hog tottering heavily from the hut.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Jan. 2026
  • The Rodents of Unusual Size that attack Westley in a swamp work because they are played by small men in rodent suits, rather than coolly conjured from pixels; their deliberate artifice is the thrill, and Reiner provided the voice for their hideous snorts.
    Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • The older version of the game, called Test cricket, spreads over five full days of play, and its duration as well as its colonial-era quirks (players wear white while representing their country and take breaks during the day for lunch and tea) have often lent themselves to ridicule.
    Erin Florio, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The move was ridiculed by lawyers outside Paul Weiss, and more than 140 alums of the firm signed a letter assailing it as well.
    Meg Kinnard, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Sure, the scatalogical title and prurient lyrics reflected the band's age — Armstrong was fresh out of his teens at the time — but its punk sneer was rooted in sophisticated songcraft.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
  • The obsequiousness, the sneers, the boasting, the vacant generalities, and the hand-waving bespeak fear of departing from the Trumpian orthodoxy of the moment.
    Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • James Van Der Beek, a heartthrob who starred in coming-of-age dramas at the dawn of the new millennium, shooting to fame playing the titular character in Dawson’s Creek and in later years mocking his own hunky persona, has died.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Anthropic used Super Bowl ads to mock OpenAI’s plans to inject advertisements into ChatGPT conversations, sparking debate about chatbots delivering ads.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • And Nix, often with a smirk, will return the volley.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 30 Jan. 2026
  • The bus drivers do nothing to enforce the rules, and we seniors are left trudging down the bus aisle while the people in the seats smirk, look at their phones and talk to each other.
    Judith Martin, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Ultimately, the resolution passed, prompting vocal boos in the audience.
    Olivia Young, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The night began with boisterous boos during the pregame introduction of a player who backed out on a deal to return to the Bears for his sophomore season.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • While there were a few snickers, the photographers obliged and got their photos.
    Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Jeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jeer. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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