gibe 1 of 2

variants or jibe

gibe

2 of 2

noun

variants or jibe

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

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 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
Noun
  • Ruby’s face hardened, her lips twisting into a sneer.
    Lizz Schumer, People.com, 2 Jan. 2025
  • Donning false teeth and a homicidal sneer, Dafoe embodied pure evil in Lynch’s crazed road movie, starring opposite Laura Dern and Nicolas Cage.
    Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • And if the Jaguars do not pull themselves out of the AFC South abyss, owner Shad Khan will be ridiculed for letting a guy with a skimpy resume have a huge say in picking the team’s next general manager.
    John Romano, Orlando Sentinel, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Through cute memes and witty jokes, both groups ridiculed the TikTok ban.
    Jianqing Chen, The Conversation, 19 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Playful taunts after a Livingstone player missed two free throws ... that can’t be repeated in a family-friendly newspaper.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Here's what could happen this week: Stevenson is fined: Stevenson could be fined by the league for his taunts, but also by the Bears for his lack of focus on the final play.
    Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 28 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • The two men were heralded by Democrats as patriots for speaking out and derided by Trump as insubordinate.
    Aamer Madhani and Zeke Miller, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025
  • But lawmakers like Baker were still eager to see the dam completed and derided the decision as environmental overreach, seeing little reason to delay a major project for a seemingly minor fish.
    Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Drake winning this lawsuit has the potential to change the way diss songs are handled moving forward.
    Angel Diaz, Billboard, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Drake and Lamar then began trading diss tracks which included increasingly dramatic accusations.
    Conor Murray, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Come February at the 4 Nations Face-Off, the Boston Bruins captain may very well be cheered in Montreal … and jeered in Boston?
    Pierre LeBrun, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
  • When the soldiers, instead of rising up, jeered at him, Mishima killed himself in the classic samurai fashion: performing hara-kiri, or seppuku (as the Japanese more commonly call it), by plunging a sword into his abdomen before a uniformed disciple sliced his head off.
    Ian Buruma, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Videos of their vigorous, cheerful efforts soon went viral, drew international coverage and were a forceful counterpoint to Trump’s xenophobic insults.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Tyson and Paul repeatedly traded barbs and insults to each other leading up to the Nov. 15 boxing match, which was delayed by four months after the legendary former heavyweight champion was diagnosed with an ulcer flare-up.
    Danielle Jennings, People.com, 21 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gibe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gibe. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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