Synonyms of heckle

heckle

verb

ˈhe-kəl 

as in to taunt

to attack repeatedly with mean put-downs or insults

the players were heckled by disappointed fans

Synonyms & Similar Words

• taunt
• tease
• mock
• bother
• annoy
• ridicule
• ride
• bait
• jeer
• irritate
• needle
• hassle
• try
• pick on
• torture
• deride
• plague
• haze
• make game of
• pester
• bully
• harass
• rile
• trouble
• spite
• irk
• jibe
• gibe
• goad
• disturb
• vex
• nag
• aggravate
• badger
• exasperate
• test
• persecute
• gall
• burn (up)
• gripe
• agitate
• chafe
• discomfort
• grate
• peeve
• bug
• bedevil
• get
• ruffle
• itch
• pique
• perturb
• torment
• frost
• browbeat
• nark
• put out
• gnaw (at)
• dog
• hack (off)
• aggrieve
• fret
• terrorize
• hector
• beleaguer
• hound
• nettle
• rasp
• harry
• hagride

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of heckle

Few of them showed up to heckle the anti-Trump protesters. —Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025

There, Gauthier, who was drafted by Philly but opted not to sign with the Flyers, was heckled relentlessly while his would-have-been teammates and former Duck Jamie Drysdale (one goal, one assist) ran roughshod over the Ducks, 6-0. —Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 13 Jan. 2025

Budden’s embarrassing moment led to heckling from fans, as well as rappers such as Maino and Jim Jones, both of whom advised that Budden keep his clothes on moving forward. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 8 Jan. 2025

At another book talk in Massachusetts in October, Pelosi was also heckled by pro-Palestinian activists. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024