Synonyms of flout

flout

verb

ˈflau̇t 

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

• disregard
• despise
• forget
• dismiss
• overlook
• scorn
• neglect
• disparage
• pass over
• belittle
• slur (over)
• slight
• deprecate
• overpass

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• accept
• use
• approve

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of flout

But practically, ByteDance may not have much of a choice at all, because the Chinese government has said it is not allowed to sell TikTok, and flouting the Chinese government could endanger both ByteDance’s business and its employees’ personal safety. —Emily Baker-White, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025

There are countless stories about people who reach 100, and their daily habits sometimes flout conventional advice on diet, exercise, and alcohol and tobacco use. —Dana G. Smith, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025

Fairness, equity and the rule of law combined militate against permitting immigrants who have flouted the law more generously than immigrants who have patiently waited in line for years to obtain proper visas. —Armstrong Williams, Orange County Register, 13 Jan. 2025

The country has legal prohibitions on use of Third Reich-style language and symbols, and there has been more than one case involving prosecution of an AfD figure for flouting those laws. —Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024

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