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
Republican Representative Barry Moore of Alabama left a town hall meeting through the back door on Thursday without delivering any closing remarks after being repeatedly booed and jeered by audience members. James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 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
  • Claiming victimhood was a cop-out; those who made accusations of assault were ridiculed.
    Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Beyond this, there has been a significant amount of backlash on social media, as users have ridiculed the move by Austin.
    Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 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
  • The principal of a Chicago elementary school that employs a teacher who appeared to mock the assassination of Charlie Kirk apparently portrayed the educator as a victim amid backlash over her behavior.
    Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
  • He has already been known to privately mock conservative pastors.
    Rev. Nathan Empsall, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That comment and a smirk from Holly pushed her over the edge.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
  • As Hedda battles with herself, there’s a rage simmering underneath every smirk and every one of her bleak and destructive actions.
    Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The boos were long gone when Napier stood in the tunnel three-quarters of an hour later to finish up a chat with a recruit.
    Matt Baker, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The frequently cheering crowd also wasn't afraid to turn on one of their own speakers briefly with boos.
    Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 18 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 2025.

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