Thesaurus results for HECKLE

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

heckle

verb

ˈhe-kəl

Definition of heckle next

as in to taunt

to attack repeatedly with mean put-downs or insults the players were heckled by disappointed fans

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Examples 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 heckle Silverstein said Bartley also heckled her as the City Council discussed the January cease-fire ordinance. —

Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 7 Oct. 2024 After being heckled by a grieving subject, Míriel delivers an inspiring speech that wins over her skeptical audience. —

Keith Phipps, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2024 During World Series Game 4, before the bungle with Betts, a fan chose a Stand Up to Cancer moment of silence to heckle Dodgers' player Freddie Freeman. —

Felecia Wellington Radel, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024 In August, during a swing through Michigan, a battleground state with the nation's largest American-Arab population, Harris was heckled by pro-Palestinian protesters. —

Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for heckle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for heckle

Verb

Does Oz think the mother bird knew what her baby bird did?, Sofia taunts.

Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2024
Oz taunts Sal, saying Sofia has him on a tight leash, only for Sal to taunt Oz right back, reminding him that Sofia has taken Oz’s mother.

Joe Otterson, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024