gibe 1 of 2

variants or jibe
Definition of gibenext

gibe

2 of 2

noun

variants or jibe

Synonym Chooser

How is the word gibe distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of gibe are fleer, flout, jeer, scoff, and sneer. While all these words mean "to show one's contempt in derision or mockery," gibe implies taunting either good-naturedly or in sarcastic derision.

hooted and gibed at the umpire

Where would fleer be a reasonable alternative to gibe?

The words fleer and gibe are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fleer suggests grinning or grimacing derisively.

the saucy jackanapes fleered at my credulity

When is it sensible to use flout instead of gibe?

In some situations, the words flout and gibe are roughly equivalent. However, flout stresses contempt shown by refusal to heed.

flouted the conventions of polite society

In what contexts can jeer take the place of gibe?

The synonyms jeer and gibe are sometimes interchangeable, but jeer suggests a coarser more undiscriminating derision.

the crowd jeered at the prisoners

When might scoff be a better fit than gibe?

While the synonyms scoff and gibe are close in meaning, scoff stresses insolence, disrespect, or incredulity as motivating the derision.

scoffed at their concerns

When could sneer be used to replace gibe?

Although the words sneer and gibe have much in common, sneer stresses insulting by contemptuous facial expression, phrasing, or tone of voice.

sneered at anything romantic

How is the word gibe distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of gibe are fleer, flout, jeer, scoff, and sneer. While all these words mean "to show one's contempt in derision or mockery," gibe implies taunting either good-naturedly or in sarcastic derision.

hooted and gibed at the umpire

Where would fleer be a reasonable alternative to gibe?

The words fleer and gibe are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fleer suggests grinning or grimacing derisively.

the saucy jackanapes fleered at my credulity

When is it sensible to use flout instead of gibe?

In some situations, the words flout and gibe are roughly equivalent. However, flout stresses contempt shown by refusal to heed.

flouted the conventions of polite society

In what contexts can jeer take the place of gibe?

The synonyms jeer and gibe are sometimes interchangeable, but jeer suggests a coarser more undiscriminating derision.

the crowd jeered at the prisoners

When might scoff be a better fit than gibe?

While the synonyms scoff and gibe are close in meaning, scoff stresses insolence, disrespect, or incredulity as motivating the derision.

scoffed at their concerns

When could sneer be used to replace gibe?

Although the words sneer and gibe have much in common, 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 gibe
Verb
But overall, the global findings jibe with other research that has demonstrated that young people today have been showing many positive trends, including a tendency to be more empathetic, less narcissistic, more inclusive and even more patient than past generations. Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 19 Mar. 2026 This forced the British to make jibes to get down to the bottom of the course while the Americans jibed just once, and that was the deciding factor in securing what went on to be an easy victory. Andrew Rice, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2026 Cronin’s system wasn’t jibing with a point guard who thrives in transition and a center unfamiliar with the paint. Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026 Tate makes the case that the consistent proportion of students earning a 1400 or higher on the SAT doesn’t jibe with the fall in NAEP scores. Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026 The allegations in his case, which jibe with those in the Maduro indictment, have roots reaching back even further to 1999. Jay Weaver january 8, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026 When the Dickinson fascicles were turned over to Mabel Loomis Todd, Susan’s crucial position as primary audience for Emily’s poetry became an inconvenient and irrelevant piece of information that did not jibe with the popular image of a nineteenth-century poetess. Via Chronicle Books, Literary Hub, 11 Dec. 2025 Such concerns appear to jibe with rising public concerns about the cost of food, housing and other necessities. Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025 He was pressured all night by linebackers Micah Parsons and Rashan Gary and the offense didn’t jibe well for the most part. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
Mamdani hit back at Tuberville’s jibe, which falsely suggested that Mamdani or Muslims support terrorism. Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2026 Carr’s jibe struck me as weirdly TV-centric, in a very Trumpian sense. Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2026 In response to Trump’s post, Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stressed the region’s free health care system and pointed out the differences in a gibe at the U.S. system. Kirsten Grieshaber, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026 Leno later said he felt humiliated by Kimmel’s jibe. Greg Evans, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025 The foolishness of the governor’s gibe was underscored by the progressive, staunchly anti-Trump Democratic mayor of San Jose. U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025 Roy Keane’s ‘prawn sandwiches’ jibe had interesting origins. Michael Walker, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025 This is clearly a jibe at the earlier problems of Ola’s scooters and their infamous unreliability. New Atlas, 10 Feb. 2025 Does this cold snap jibe with the preseason winter forecast? Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gibe
Verb
  • The move was ridiculed by rival Anthropic, which made OpenAI’s ad push the focus of its first Super Bowl campaign.
    Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The deputies, in their testimony, said the songs ridiculed them.
    CBS News, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • From the sneer of Billy Idol to the smooth sashaying of Sade, the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees amplify the institution’s commitment to recognizing a diverse slate.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
  • Valarr asks Ser Duncan with a sneer.
    Noel Murray, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • In vivid, dramatic language more befitting of a pulp novel accompanied by fanciful illustrations, the story said that reports of monsters first started surfacing in Canada, only to be met with mocking dismissal in Chicago.
    Adam Harrington, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
  • This festival featured carnivals that included music, costumes, and mocking church rituals.
    Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The bright, cheery room, decorated with technicolor serapes and paintings of idyllic tropical-village scenes, felt almost like a taunt.
    Daniel Brook, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
  • That taunt came from the boys playing in Happy Hearts Park.
    Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Giovanni Simeone leveled shortly before halftime, when some jeers rang out from the home fans.
    ABC News, ABC News, 21 Mar. 2026
  • In an era in high school sports where boos, jeers, and uncalled-for chants are the status quo, Shelton steers fans to uplift rather than put down.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Laughs and insults, all expressed at a high volume, were guaranteed to follow.
    Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The fan repeatedly shouted insults at Punk while pledging allegiance to Reigns.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Since the conflict with Iran erupted nearly a month ago, US financial markets have been violently whipsawed not by macroeconomic data, but by presidential Truth Social posts and quips.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Cyrus also answers questions by Cooper candidly throughout the special, firing off rapid quips.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Bovino flailed back at every affront instead of focusing on his mission, not realizing his recklessness was eroding public support for his cause and threatening it altogether.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Any tension between them, though, stems from personal affronts, while their ideological differences exist as a largely unremarked upon undercurrent.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gibe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gibe. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

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