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

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
Roy Keane’s ‘prawn sandwiches’ jibe had interesting origins. Michael Walker, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025 But even some Republicans weren’t happy with the nasty gibe. Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2025 This is clearly a jibe at the earlier problems of Ola’s scooters and their infamous unreliability. New Atlas, 10 Feb. 2025 Does this cold snap jibe with the preseason winter forecast? Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025 In an apparent jibe about Mangione's arrest, social media users shared what looked like a post from McDonald's rival Burger King, suggesting the latter restaurant chain would not have informed the police. Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 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 And Glaser launched a good-natured jibe at producer Benny Blanco. Joe Lynch, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019 The contrary argument is that stronger presidential oversight gibes with American constitutional principles and would ensure greater political accountability to the voters for all of an administration’s initiatives. Alden Abbott, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gibe
Verb
  • Some right wingers will watch to mock the protesters or watch for signs of violence.
    Chris Morris, Fortune, 14 June 2025
  • The Baloncesto Superior Nacional league announced Tuesday that Cousins was kicked off the Mets de Guaynabo after a vile gesture toward a fan, grabbing his genitals to mock the fan as the fan flipped both his middle fingers.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 June 2025
Noun
  • His voice—typically pitched between a bellow and a sneer—was instantly recognizable to the couple that night.
    Air Mail, Air Mail, 3 May 2025
  • In a movie climate where remakes tend to draw sneers of derision and claims that people have just gotten too lazy to invent anything new, Disney’s remakes of its own products are always a chief target.
    Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Managers ran through rows of their peers and announced their area’s sales performance, ridiculing poor performers.
    Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2025
  • Clinton was ridiculed for his obsession with infrastructure until the numbers proved him out: the canal transformed New York City into an economic powerhouse, and its population surged to more than two hundred thousand.
    Paige Williams, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury has long endured racist and homophobic taunts.
    Susan M. Shaw, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • Finally, Allin paid tribute to a fellow pro wrestler who had a major effect on his Mount Everest journey: WWE Hall of Famer Diamond Dallas Page. Upon reaching the summit, Allin gave the classic Diamond Cutter taunt associated with the multi-time WCW World Champion.
    Jeremy Hanna, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • But a growing body of research—much of which the industry has tried to debunk and deride—suggests that ethanol actually may not provide the benefits that policies require.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 14 June 2025
  • And that gave him some kind of legitimacy after 40 years of agony, derided by the music press.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2025
Noun
  • Enter the freestyle diss track round, where each contestant had to deliver a rap targeting none other than Sam Reich himself — accompanied by a live beatboxer named Antonio.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 May 2025
  • Last Friday, another short video was shared on his Instagram, this one featuring a snippet of his own diss.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Hundreds of protesters facing them jeered in English and Spanish, telling the troops to go home.
    Lolita C. Baldor, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025
  • Soto had only one hit in 10 at-bats in the three games as he was relentlessly booed and jeered by the Yankee Stadium fans.
    Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • The president and the governor are having a momentous fight about constitutional rights in the courts, and flaming each other with insults and photoshopped memes on Truth Social and X. The ICE raids have thrown some Angelenos into a state of fear and virtual hiding.
    Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
  • The two men had a very public falling out in early June, which unfolded in a series of insults and allegations on social media.
    Rachel Raposas, People.com, 11 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gibe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gibe. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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