hoot 1 of 2

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

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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

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

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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
Those rules are broken and the results are messy, monstrous and metaphorical in a hilariously jaw-dropping hoot about beauty and self-worth. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025 Jon Heder is a dull vacancy that Ferrell keeps trying to spur into action, but the rest of the supporting cast is a hoot, particularly Will Arnett and Amy Poehler as a rival skating duo. Tim Grierson, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025
Verb
But visitors can do other kinds of hooting and hollering at Aspen Highlands, one of the four mountains that make up the Aspen Snowmass area (the others are Aspen, Buttermilk, and Snowmass), all skiable under a single lift pass. Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2024 Addison doesn’t hoot and holler around the locker room. Alec Lewis, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for hoot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoot
Noun
  • Democrats responded with shouts from the floor, displays of protest signs, and silence.
    Javier Zarracina, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Zelenskyy arrived to shouts of support from people who had gathered outside of 10 Downing St., where Starmer gave him a hug and ushered him inside.
    Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports, arkansasonline.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Some friends prescribed a healthy snort of bourbon and a trip to the doctor.
    Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2025
  • There was always laughter, followed up by an occasional snort sometimes!
    Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Since the death of Tom Petty meant an end to his primary job in 2017, Tench has still been visible in the background as a member of the house band in practically any tribute show that’s worth a damn.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Continue reading … 'STEELE' THE SHOW – MSNBC host demands Democrats start giving a ‘damn’ about Trump, Musk in fiery rant.
    Fox News, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • As for you: keep an ear out for genuine screams and excessive silence.
    Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2025
  • The truth is, sure—the odd primal scream or rage run probably isn’t gonna hurt ya.
    Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The two parties have been hollering at third-party candidates ever since Ross Perot and Ralph Nader.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Members have hissed and hollered at Presidents of the opposing party in recent years with casual regularity.
    Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • According to learning platform Preply, almost one-third of American workers have witnessed their boss publicly insulting or humiliating an employee.
    Amanda Kavanagh | This Column was created by Jobbio, The Hill, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Listen to this article An Aurora attorney who cursed at and insulted school district employees during a special education meeting violated professional conduct rules and can be publicly censured, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled Monday.
    Katie Langford, Denver Post, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Despite the show's ruminations revolving around Dorian's ego, there is no vanity in this performance where Snook sweats, sneers, and dashes across stage.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • One is Giovanni Battista Moroni’s Portrait of a Woman (ca. 1575), in which a leery-eyed woman stares down at her viewer, pressing her lips into the faintest of sneers.
    Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The show also begged us to care one whit about Nick’s secret romance with… Jessica’s sister!!!
    Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 24 Mar. 2025
  • The lack of logic Trump’s fun-house version of justice may not matter a whit to voters, or alter even slightly their perceptions of the two major parties.
    Mark Z. Barabak, The Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoot. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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