jeer

1 of 2

verb

ˈjir 

jeered; jeering; jeers

intransitive verb

: to speak or cry out with derision or mockery

a jeering mob

transitive verb

: to deride with mocking and insulting remarks or sounds : taunt

was jeered by the crowd when he tried to speak

jeerer noun

jeeringly

ˈjir-iŋ-lē 

adverb

jeer

2 of 2

noun

: a mocking and insulting remark or sound : taunt

the jeers of the crowd

Synonyms

Verb

• deride
• gibe
• jibe
• laugh (at)
• mock
• ridicule
• scout
• shoot down
• skewer

Noun

• bird [chiefly British]
• boo
• Bronx cheer
• catcall
• hiss
• hoot
• raspberry
• razz
• snort

Choose the Right Synonym for jeer

scoff, jeer, gibe, fleer, sneer, flout mean to show one's contempt in derision or mockery.

scoff stresses insolence, disrespect, or incredulity as motivating the derision.

scoffed at their concerns

jeer suggests a coarser more undiscriminating derision.

the crowd jeered at the prisoners

gibe implies taunting either good-naturedly or in sarcastic derision.

hooted and gibed at the umpire

fleer suggests grinning or grimacing derisively.

the saucy jackanapes fleered at my credulity

sneer stresses insulting by contemptuous facial expression, phrasing, or tone of voice.

sneered at anything romantic

flout stresses contempt shown by refusal to heed.

flouted the conventions of polite society

Examples of jeer in a Sentence

Verb

He tried to ignore the jeering crowd.

The crowd jeered him when he struck out.

The prisoner was jeered by an angry mob.

Noun

ignored the jeers of the other team's fans and just focused on making her free throw shot

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Upset attendees began jeering, throwing punches, and causing damage at the venue. —Natalia Cano, Billboard, 12 Apr. 2025

Robert Sanchez lost the trust of Stamford Bridge to be the team’s starting goalkeeper long ago and has been booed and jeered at times. —Liam Twomey, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025

Noun

But the prevailing mood was one of futility and there were ironic jeers from the Forest fans when Garnacho booted the ball high into the Bridgford Stand 18 minutes from time. —Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025

When fans last gathered here, late in September, there were jeers and boos while the Sox improbably swept the Angels in a three-game series. —Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

1561, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1625, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for jeer

• beer
• bier
• cheer
• clear
• dear
• deer
• drear
• ear
• fear
• fier
• gear
• hear

Kids Definition

jeer

verb

ˈji(ə)r

: to laugh at or criticize someone in a loud and angry way

jeer noun