Thesaurus results for HECKLE

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

heckle

verb

ˈhe-kəl

Definition of heckle next

as in to taunt

to attack repeatedly with mean put-downs or insults the players were heckled by disappointed fans

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 In the midst of the election cycle, her death quickly became a flashpoint in the immigration debate, with former President Donald Trump and his supporters raising it at rallies and President Biden responding to heckling about it in his State of the Union address. —

Eva Pound, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2024 Duran suspended for slur The Red Sox suspended outfielder Jarren Duran for two games yesterday, one day after a hot mic caught him directing a homophobic slur at a heckling fan. —

Chris Branch, The Athletic, 13 Aug. 2024 The scene turned tense when one fan began heckling Kelce, allegedly shouting an anti-gay slur referencing his brother, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, over his relationship with pop star Taylor Swift. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024 At Thom Yorke's recent solo show in Melbourne, Australia, the singer walked off the stage after being heckled about the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. —

Jade Gomez, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for heckle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for heckle

Verb

Kaczynski had taunted officials with a rambling manifesto and was apprehended following one of the longest FBI manhunts in history.

Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 10 Dec. 2024
India, a team whose 12-year-old unbeaten home record has just been dismantled by New Zealand, taunted them with superior skills and in-your-face backchat.

Tim Ellis, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024