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
Director James Madigan’s bone-crunching debut features a full-throttle performance from the underrated Josh Hartnett and irresistibly embraces its B-movie-ness, encouraging audiences to hoot, holler, groan and laugh. Randy Myers, Mercury News, 7 May 2025 For most younger folks, the appearance of a drag queen offers the chance to hoot and holler, to have fun and show some support. Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2025
Verb
Reading about being a turtle, on the other hand, is kind of a hoot. A.o. Scott, New York Times, 13 June 2025 Given center stage, these once one-dimensional characters can be a hoot. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for hoot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoot
Noun
  • Behind the door, Red groaned, then gave himself a self-motivating shout.
    Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
  • The shout was instantly memed, parodied by comedians, recreated by fans, echoed by celebrities, and even spoofed by The Minions.
    Nasha Smith, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • The swine respond with raspy snorts and spine-rattling squeals.
    Bennet Goldstein, jsonline.com, 4 July 2025
  • They’re comforted by the hoots of owls and snorts of pig frogs.
    Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • And as far as luxurious treats go, well, the afternoon high tea there is not to be missed, and the theme changing monthly offers the strongest argument yet to treat oneself ad infinitum without giving a tinker’s damn about the current economy.
    Timothy DePeugh, Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • Factory workers heard screams, but couldn’t save their colleague.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 14 July 2025
  • Hunt, Texas — Ever since dawn on the Fourth of July, a broken hearts club bigger than Texas has been forced to imagine the speed of water and the screams of children.
    Bill Weir, CNN Money, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • There was a big group assembled on the other side of the street, huddled together under the orange cone of a street light, clapping and hollering and stamping their feet.
    Clare Sestanovich, New Yorker, 13 July 2025
  • The kids are running around, hollering and screaming, having a good ‘ole time, and Frankie Beverly and Maze are blaring through the speakers.
    Essence, Essence, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • Weeks after that House hearing, the Fed lowered rates a quarter point, but Trump kept haranguing and insulting Powell, calling for even more easing.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 19 July 2025
  • In crafting a fun summer movie that wouldn’t insult the audience’s intelligence, Robinson looked to the film that created the idea of the summer blockbuster 50 years ago.
    Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 17 July 2025
Noun
  • Up front, its face is a far more rectilinear sneer.
    Brett Berk, Robb Report, 8 July 2025
  • Yungblud’s voice — a piercing yelp that exists somewhere between Gerard Way’s wail and Brian Molko’s sneer — slotted him in the alt-rock world, but his aspirations seemed to stretch far beyond that categorization.
    Maura Johnston, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • After 40 minutes, his energy hasn’t flagged a whit.
    Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 2 July 2025
  • Nevertheless, the basic design of commercial nuclear power reactors has changed not a whit.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 30 July 2010

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Cite this Entry

“Hoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoot. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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