gibe
1 of 2verb
intransitive verb
transitive verb
gibe
2 of 2noun
Armani Syed Mike Isaac and Lauren Hirsch Monique El-Faizy John Cassidy
Did you know?
Confused about jibe and gibe? The distinction actually isn't as clear-cut as some commentators would like it to be. Jibe is used both for the verb meaning "to be in accord" or "agree" (as in "the results do not jibe with those from other studies") and for the nautical verb and noun referring to the act of shifting a sail from one side to the other ("jibe the mainsail," "a risky jibe in heavy seas"). Gibe is used as a verb and noun for derisive teasing or taunting. But jibe is also a recognized variant of gibe, so it too has teasing or taunting uses. Gibe has been used occasionally as a variant of jibe, but the use is not common enough to warrant dictionary entry, and is widely considered an error.
Synonyms
Verb
- deride
- jeer
- laugh (at)
- mock
- ridicule
- scout
- shoot down
- skewer
Example Sentences
Tim Fernholz, Quartz, 26 Feb. 2021 Word History
Verb
perhaps from Middle French giber to shake, handle roughly
Noun
derivative of gibe entry 1
Verb
1567, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Noun
1572, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
gibe 1 of 2
verb
gibe
2 of 2noun
gibe 1 of 2
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- mock
- ridicule
- taunt
- deride
- jeer
- tease
- scout
- skewer
- rag on
- scorn
- shoot down
- disparage
- target
- belittle
- make fun of
- torment
- razz
- laugh (at)
- jive
- harass
- make sport of
- quiz
- pooh
- rag
- cock snooks (at)
- twit
- lampoon
- poke fun at
- decry
- rib
- caricature
- satirize
- pooh-pooh
- harry
- bait
- cock a snook (at)
- heckle
- ape
- tweak
- pester
- pillory
- kid
- parody
- imitate
- mimic
- parrot
- bad-mouth
- rally
- josh
- catcall
- chaff
- needle
- bug
- sneer (at)
- scoff (at)
- ride
- burlesque
- barrack
- hassle
- put down
- travesty
- take off (on)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- approve
- indorse
- endorse
- commend
- applaud
- sanction
gibe
2 of 2noun
Synonyms & Similar Words
- sneer
- taunt
- jeer
- insult
- mock
- quip
- affront
- barb
- slur
- slight
- diss
- epithet
- sarcasm
- slap
- dart
- brickbat
- catcall
- outrage
- invective
- gird
- dis
- vituperation
- put-down
- indignity
- poke
- dig
- disapproval
- criticism
- cut
- offence
- name
- abuse
- personality
- opprobrium
- swipe
- attack
- offense
- dishonor
- disgrace
- shame
- knock
- slam
- torment
- torture
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- compliment
- commendation
- praise
- applause
- acclaim
- accolade
- flattery
- adulation
Synonym Chooser
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.
The words fleer and gibe are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fleer suggests grinning or grimacing derisively.
In some situations, the words flout and gibe are roughly equivalent. However, flout stresses contempt shown by refusal to heed.
The synonyms jeer and gibe are sometimes interchangeable, but jeer suggests a coarser more undiscriminating derision.
While the synonyms scoff and gibe are close in meaning, scoff stresses insolence, disrespect, or incredulity as motivating the derision.
Although the words sneer and gibe have much in common, sneer stresses insulting by contemptuous facial expression, phrasing, or tone of voice.