hoot 1 of 2

Definition of hootnext
1
as in shout
a loud vocal expression of strong emotion the courtroom erupted in hoots of laughter upon hearing the witness's sarcastic retort to the lawyer's arrogant remark

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in snort
a vocal sound made to express scorn or disapproval he ignored the hoots and jeers coming from the back of the crowd and kept on speaking until he'd had his say

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
as in scream
someone or something that is very funny that stand-up comic is a hoot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hoot

2 of 2

verb

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 hoot
Noun
Aziza Scott is a hoot as Anna’s pregnant best friend/real-talk Greek chorus of sorts, and Coiro herself doles out zingers as a random tourist on a bus. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026 And Donnie was so into it and so prepared, and just a hoot. Rebecca Milzoff, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
The speakers do break down a bit at the absolute extremes of their bass and treble support, succumbing to slight crackling and hooting with extended heavy bass drops and marginally distorting the very brightest treble sounds. John Archer, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2026 House the La Vista Baby hooted at Don’t Ate the Player, Ate The Game and Waulesi Asadye. Literary Hub, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hoot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoot
Noun
  • Ghana had a genuine penalty shout waved away for an Ezri Konsa recovery tackle on Prince Kwabena Adu, the result of a counter-attack that stemmed from Eberechi Eze losing possession upfield.
    Liam Tharme, New York Times, 30 June 2026
  • As the judge read out the sentences, shouts of protest rang out from the defendants’ box.
    ABC News, ABC News, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • On a night when Lee somehow turned a 73.2 mph snort into a home run, Chapman staged another losing battle while hoping for a conventional one.
    Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 15 May 2026
  • My wife, meanwhile, guards against the occasional loud snort with one of the oldest and most elegant anti-snoring technologies ever devised: earplugs.
    Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • And if that is to be the case, most Chicagoans do not give a damn whether the team goes to Arlington Heights or Hammond.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2026
  • In a world of drivers mostly ruled by their corporate sponsors, Busch was an otherworldly talent who simply did not give a damn.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2026
Noun
  • The delighted screams were coming from a man wearing a Mexico soccer jersey in the first row.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Alicent fights back and is ultimately rescued by Grand Maester Orwyle, who hears her screams.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Consider the field holler that became one of the taproots of American popular music.
    Iqbal Akhtar, The Conversation, 30 June 2026
  • Fast forward to the semiquincentennial and Americans holler versions of that slogan through windows in real life, just on phones and computers.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Screenshots shared with The Charlotte Observer by Moore show Bogan has repeatedly messaged Reform Stables’ business associates or fellow event organizers with allegations about the stable and Moore, and insulted him online.
    Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2026
  • Sigcho-Lopez then turned around to face aldermen sitting in the back row who appeared to be insulting him during the exchange.
    Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • Many American poets have written hymns and howls, declarations and outcries for this country that brims with so many people, and so many hopes, from all over the world.
    Scott Simon, NPR, 4 July 2026
  • The engine delivers a deep, purposeful hum rather than an all-out howl as the gears disappear in quick succession.
    Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • With his rakish sneer and ruthlessly tight jodhpurs, Rupert has been thoroughly neutered with irony, transformed into an object for women to pick at.
    Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
  • Of course, the prospect of one of the greatest women’s footballers in history skittering around Bromley on a Saturday lunchtime in front of a smattering of fans inevitably inspires sneers.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoot. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on hoot

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster