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
Leno later said he felt humiliated by Kimmel’s jibe. Greg Evans, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025 The foolishness of the governor’s gibe was underscored by the progressive, staunchly anti-Trump Democratic mayor of San Jose. U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025 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 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
Noun
Even the acronym of GPS jibed with her view of how a kid’s own resourcefulness could be used as an inner compass. Shawn Price, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025 But the idea that many companies are struggling to achieve substantial returns jibed with another recent survey, by Akkodis, a multinational consulting firm. John Cassidy, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gibe
Verb
  • Many on the right have reacted strongly to those perceived to be celebrating or mocking Kirk's death, calling for consequences such as losing their jobs or in Omar's case, being censured.
    Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Comedy Central responded to Kirk’s killing by pulling the episode mocking him from its regular rotation.
    Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Jacob sneers, but doesn’t even wait for his son to answer.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 15 Aug. 2025
  • The single, meanwhile, is ushered in with a gripping bass line and an undercurrent of keyboards until Osbourne makes his grand vocal entrance, all sneers and snarls.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • His sophomore slump was ridiculed as his completion percentage dropped and his interception percentage rose.
    Aaron Heisen, Oc Register, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Wednesday ridicules Pugsley for making a zombie.
    Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The Black students endured racial taunts, heckling and threats during their first week.
    Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Plato fled Syracuse, humiliated by the tyrants’ taunts.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Perry is sometimes derided for his work, but his billion-dollar empire speaks for itself.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Videos that are fake are believed to be real; videos that are real can easily be derided as fake.
    Andrew R. Chow, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • People jeer at the fighters and each other.
    Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Please remember that while property owners may jeer the recent price declines – if not question the math – long-suffering house hunters see these dips as a glimmer of hope.
    Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Jokes can offend, annoy, insult or fall flat.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The New York Times reported this phrase is a common insult across the internet.
    Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The festival’s origins date back to a quip Dylan made at a Live Aid benefit concert.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Kimmel could easily have addressed his comments on another episode or issued a statement in response to complaints; after all, there have been plenty of minor controversies over the years about quips made on late-night shows.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gibe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gibe. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

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