GIBE Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

gibe 1 of 2

verb

ˈjīb

variants or jibe

Definition of gibe next

as in to mock

to make (someone or something) the object of unkind laughter teammates gibing each other when one fouls up an important play

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

gibe

2 of 2

noun

variants or jibe

as in sneer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Joe Biden's Farewell Letter Takes 'Civil War' Swipe At Donald Trump By Khaleda Rahman National Correspondent 149 President Joe Biden has released a farewell letter to Americans, appearing to gibe President-elect Donald Trump. —

Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025 Thompson was dressed less formally, and gibed at Weinberger about his attire. —

Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 4 Dec. 2023 But the Space Force decision was announced six months ago, and suggesting it’s at fault for the New Glenn delay doesn’t gibe with Blue’s previous statements. —

Tim Fernholz, Quartz, 26 Feb. 2021

Noun

Seth Meyers; Says Comcast should ‘pay a big price’ Robby Soave and Niall Stanage discuss President-elect Trump’s gibe against host Seth Meyers. —

The Hill, 15 Jan. 2025 His gibes at China on X were often aggressive and sarcastic. —

Motoko Rich, New York Times, 15 Dec. 2024 The gibe is electorally perilous because of the large Puerto Rican populations in several swing states, most notably Pennsylvania. —

Niall Stanage, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024 The gibe blew Quayle off the debate stage; then, just a few weeks later, Republicans won the White House in a landslide. —

Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2024 Moderate Republicans Thursday distanced themselves from Trump’s gibe as pundits branded the statement as an unforced error that could fuel Democratic political momentum. —

Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 1 Aug. 2024 Trump’s apparent gibe pointed to a potential problem. —

Aaron Blake, Washington Post, 18 July 2024 The Left’s answer to the focus on President Biden’s debilitated state is — to paraphrase the old gibe about Rudy Giuliani’s tendency to bring everyone back to September 11 — a noun, a verb, an overheated adjective, and Project 2025. —

Rich Lowry, National Review, 17 July 2024 The fact someone — whose motive and ideology remain unclear — sought to end his life has led to inevitable gibes about roosting chickens. —

Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2024

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gibe

Verb

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
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