jeer

¹

[ jeer ]

verb (used without object)

1. to speak or shout derisively; scoff or gibe rudely:

   Don't jeer unless you can do better.

   Synonyms: jest, sneer

verb (used with object)

1. to shout derisively at; taunt.

   Synonyms: fleer, flout, ridicule, deride

2. to treat with scoffs or derision; mock.

   Synonyms: fleer, flout, ridicule, deride

3. to drive away by derisive shouts (followed by out of, off, etc.):

   They jeered the speaker off the stage.

noun

1. a jeering utterance; derisive or rude gibe.

jeer

²

[ jeer ]

noun

, Nautical.

1. any of various combinations of tackles for raising or lowering heavy yards.

jeer

/ dʒɪə /

verb

1. often foll by at to laugh or scoff (at a person or thing); mock

noun

1. a remark or cry of derision; gibe; taunt

Derived Forms

• ˈjeering, adjectivenoun
• ˈjeerer, noun
• ˈjeeringly, adverb

Other Words From

• jeerer noun
• jeering·ly adverb
• un·jeered adjective
• un·jeering adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jeer¹

1555–65; origin uncertain; compare Old English cēir clamor, akin to cēgan to call out

Origin of jeer²

First recorded in 1485–95; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of jeer¹

C16: of unknown origin

Synonym Study

See scoff ¹.

Example Sentences

Even Trump has not done that with any regularity, though he has a habit of urging his crowd to jeer at the reporters attending his speeches.

From Slate

One can hear every squeak of the shoes, every jeer from the loudmouths, every direction from the coaches.

From Los Angeles Times

His first goal didn't come for four months and he missed so many chances his own fans used to jeer him.

From BBC

Between the more recent “soft on crime” jeer and Bill Clinton–era “tough on crime” policy, Rollins echoes a middle-of-the-road message that Harris has long touted: being “smart on crime.”

From Slate

For a moment, it sounded like some in the crowd would jeer, but Ms Harris quickly moved on to the plight of Palestinians, saying that the scale of their suffering was “heartbreaking”.

From BBC

Related Words

• hoot
• quip
• ridicule
• scoff
• sneer
• snipe
• taunt