JEER Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

jeer 1 of 2

noun

Definition of jeer

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

ˈjir

as in to ridicule

to make (someone or something) the object of unkind laughter the unforgiving crowd jeered the magician when the final trick went awry

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Loud jeers and expletives from Kansas fans rained upon the Tigers, most of whom were unfazed. — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 Instagram rolled out a new logo last week — which instantly drew jeers from some users. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026

Verb

Last year, the combustible Russian, Daniil Medvedev, invited a late-night crowd to jeer for six straight minutes after a photographer ran onto the court at match point. — Owen Lewis, Air Mail, 29 Aug. 2026 When the visitors' lineup and Skubal were shown on the videoboard and his name was announced before the first pitch, most of the crowd at Comerica Park clapped for the two-time Cy Young Award winner while some jeered him. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for jeer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jeer

Noun

The class had been quiet after the camp text, but now there was at least one snort.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 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

Definition of snort

Verb

Last year, retailer Target was ridiculed across social media for instituting a smiling policy.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Cruz has ridiculed Talarico’s past comments on Christianity and immigration, saying the would be more fitting for Berkeley, California, than Texas.

— Matthew Choi, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of ridicule

Verb

As proof of how much of a joke this has become for people is that a sketch mocking their drama was part of the October 10 episode of Saturday Night Live UK.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 21 Oct. 2026
There were earlier versions of this story that were openly mocking of Kip, versions that threw Leo under the bus for being too sly; versions that were too overtly political; versions with ghosts that didn’t need to be there, and so on.

— Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of mock

Noun

The pair barely crack more than a perfunctory smirk, in stark contrast to the uproarious laughter emanating from Fielder’s laptop screen.

— Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
My mom’s siblings usually arrived in a sour mood without greeting anyone at the table, my aunt’s brow furrowed and my uncle wearing a sneaky smirk.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of smirk

Noun

But there’s another 45 supremely indulgent auteur gunk that is snicker-worthy.

— Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
As executed, the 2019 show is an emotional yet refreshingly unsentimental black comedy that snickers in the face of empowerment buzzwords like, well, healing journey.

— Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of snicker

Browse Nearby Words

jeans

jeer

jeered

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Jeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jeer. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of jeer

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on jeer

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes