heckle

Synonym Chooser

How is the word heckle distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of heckle are badger, bait, chivy, hector, and hound. While all these words mean "to harass by efforts to break down," heckle implies persistent annoying or belligerent interruptions of a speaker.

drunks heckled the stand-up comic

Where would badger be a reasonable alternative to heckle?

The meanings of badger and heckle largely overlap; however, badger implies pestering so as to drive a person to confusion or frenzy.

badgered her father for a car

When might bait be a better fit than heckle?

While in some cases nearly identical to heckle, bait implies wanton cruelty or delight in persecuting a helpless victim.

baited the chained dog

When can chivy be used instead of heckle?

The words chivy and heckle can be used in similar contexts, but chivy suggests persecution by teasing or nagging.

chivied the new student mercilessly

When is hector a more appropriate choice than heckle?

The synonyms hector and heckle are sometimes interchangeable, but hector carries an implication of bullying and domineering.

football players hectored by their coach

When would hound be a good substitute for heckle?

Although the words hound and heckle have much in common, hound implies unrelenting pursuit and harassing.

hounded by creditors

Examples 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 heckle Charles and Camilla’s Australia tour seemed to be well-received by the public there, save for being heckled by a senator during a Canberra reception at Parliament House. Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 30 Dec. 2024 In court, lawyers for the monk were heckled by other lawyers and stopped from defending him, his team said. Saif Hasnat, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024 Nancy Pelosi was heckled for over a minute while speaking about her new book at an event in New York in October. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024 Beyond being heckled, cursed at, and pelted with eggs and rocks, he was forced to hide from mobs. TIME, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for heckle 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heckle
Verb
  • Trump hosted liberal Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau to discuss tariffs and has been taunting him since, suggesting Canada should be a U.S. state.
    Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Everett Collection Members of an impromptu dance mob taunt Laura Dern in Inland Empire (2006).
    Maya Ibbitson, Architectural Digest, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Though Evans comforted Bunny in person, Hot Ones made sure to tease him a little bit in post-production.
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Activision teases five new multiplayer maps being added to Black Ops 6 in the upcoming season, with two of them coming a few weeks after the update.
    Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • They were also nominated for worst screen combo, another blow for the movie that Golden Globes host Nikki Glaser ruthlessly mocked in her monologue earlier this month.
    Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Shelton specifically referenced the incident where Tony Jones of Channel 9 mocked Novak Djokovic and his fans on air, causing Djokovic to skip a post-match interview with Jim Courier.
    Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near heckle

Cite this Entry

“Heckle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heckle. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on heckle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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