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

Relevance

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 early and mid-game parade of tears and jeers out of Tribal Council truly felt like old school Survivor. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 15 May 2025 Congresswoman faces jeers while defending Trump tax policies. FOXNews.com, 30 May 2025
Verb
Soto had only one hit in 10 at-bats in the three games as he was relentlessly booed and jeered by the Yankee Stadium fans. Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025 The actor, who is Black and gay, previously alleged that two men jeered at him before pouring bleach onto his body and tying a rope around his neck on Jan. 29, 2019. Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for jeer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jeer
Noun
  • They’re comforted by the hoots of owls and snorts of pig frogs.
    Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
  • Even so, some of Lucy’s pronouncements are so truly awful that a blunt snort of laughter is the only response.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • The branding flip-flop was ridiculed online — which WBD’s social team tried to get ahead of by sending out a flurry of self-deprecating memes poking fun at the name switcheroo.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 9 July 2025
  • Gastineau, 68, says he has been ridiculed on social media over how he is portrayed.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 July 2025
Noun
  • Up front, its face is a far more rectilinear sneer.
    Brett Berk, Robb Report, 8 July 2025
  • Yungblud’s voice — a piercing yelp that exists somewhere between Gerard Way’s wail and Brian Molko’s sneer — slotted him in the alt-rock world, but his aspirations seemed to stretch far beyond that categorization.
    Maura Johnston, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • And of course, that following Sunday, Oliver did indeed mock his corporate bosses for the move.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 8 July 2025
  • Many wanted Tiger to comment, but others chose to mock Williams.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • The Plague is exquisitely cast, from the Nickelodeon star smirk of ringleader Jake (Kayo Martin) to his cohen target Eli (Kenny Rasmussen), a genuine oddball.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 27 May 2025
  • But watching a group of roughnecks on a rig in grubby overalls moving huge, long steel pipes, Dugan's smile begins to fade to a smirk.
    Kirk Siegler, NPR, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The day went off without many obvious hitches, although one unexpected development was Disturbed singer David Draiman being greeted with boos as well as cheers.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 5 July 2025
  • Austin entrepreneur Kendra Scott has a new boo: Country music star Zac Brown 🌳Texas heat cramping your outdoor activity?
    Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • League sources stifle their snickers in public while privately marveling at the owner’s ceaseless stupidity. 3.
    Jeff Howe, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
  • So he must be placed in the Apparition section, next to ghosts like John Barron, sharing a snicker with Ivana.
    Greg Marotta, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jeer. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on jeer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!