FLOUT Synonyms: 17 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'flout' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of flout are fleer , gibe , jeer , scoff , and sneer . While all these words mean "to show one's contempt in derision or mockery," flout stresses contempt shown by refusal to heed. // flouted the conventions of polite society

Q: When can 'fleer' be used instead of 'flout'?

In some situations, the words fleer and flout are roughly equivalent. However, fleer suggests grinning or grimacing derisively. // the saucy jackanapes fleered at my credulity

Q: When would 'gibe' be a good substitute for 'flout'?

While in some cases nearly identical to flout , gibe implies taunting either good-naturedly or in sarcastic derision. // hooted and gibed at the umpire

Q: Where would 'jeer' be a reasonable alternative to 'flout'?

Although the words jeer and flout have much in common, jeer suggests a coarser more undiscriminating derision. // the crowd jeered at the prisoners

Q: When is it sensible to use 'scoff' instead of 'flout'?

The words scoff and flout can be used in similar contexts, but scoff stresses insolence, disrespect, or incredulity as motivating the derision. // scoffed at their concerns

Q: When might 'sneer' be a better fit than 'flout'?

While the synonyms sneer and flout are close in meaning, sneer stresses insulting by contemptuous facial expression, phrasing, or tone of voice. // sneered at anything romantic

flout

verb

ˈflau̇t

Definition of flout next

as in to disregard

to ignore in a disrespectful manner an able-bodied motorist openly flouting the law and parking in a space reserved for the disabled

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word flout distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of flout are fleer, gibe, jeer, scoff, and sneer. While all these words mean "to show one's contempt in derision or mockery," flout stresses contempt shown by refusal to heed.

flouted the conventions of polite society

When can fleer be used instead of flout?

In some situations, the words fleer and flout are roughly equivalent. However, fleer suggests grinning or grimacing derisively.

the saucy jackanapes fleered at my credulity

When would gibe be a good substitute for flout?

While in some cases nearly identical to flout, gibe implies taunting either good-naturedly or in sarcastic derision.

hooted and gibed at the umpire

Where would jeer be a reasonable alternative to flout?

Although the words jeer and flout have much in common, jeer suggests a coarser more undiscriminating derision.

the crowd jeered at the prisoners

When is it sensible to use scoff instead of flout?

The words scoff and flout can be used in similar contexts, but scoff stresses insolence, disrespect, or incredulity as motivating the derision.

scoffed at their concerns

When might sneer be a better fit than flout?

While the synonyms sneer and flout are close in meaning, sneer stresses insulting by contemptuous facial expression, phrasing, or tone of voice.

sneered at anything romantic

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 flout But while his months of legal delaying actions enabled Trump to prevent the government from holding him legally responsible for his acts, Trump cannot escape moral responsibility for what may have been history’s singularly most selfish effort to flout the rules of American democracy. —

Carl Leubsdorf, The Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2025 But the ban was widely flouted, so in 2019 a tougher law was introduced. —

Niki Kitsantonis, New York Times, 28 Dec. 2024 Institutions depend on mutual trust, and if the United States flouts the rules, others may follow suit—eroding the foundations of global cooperation. —

Allison Carnegie, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2024 Campaign Legal Center also asked the Senate Ethics Committee in April to probe whether Cruz’s arrangement flouts the prohibition on honoraria for members of Congress by allegedly disguising speaking fees as contributions to a PAC. —

Zach Everson, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for flout

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flout

Verb

This comment may come from a good place, but still manages to disregard what makes the birthing parent comfortable.

— Annabelle Canela, Parents, 23 Jan. 2025
In the case of one Premier League manager, any player falling below a certain value — literally any player — is disregarded instantly.

— Phil Hay, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025