He never spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer.
Source: tatoeba (3148039)
Gibe
Synonyms for "gibe" (189 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (38)
Strong matches (57)
Related words (94)
make a funnymake funmake fun ofmockmockerymotnasty crackoffendoffenseoutrageparthian shotparting shotpersiflageplay of witplay on wordspleasantrypoke fun atpoohpooh poohpooh-pooh
Show 57 more words
potshotpunput downput onput-downput-onquipquips and cranksragrailrail atrailleryrallyrank outrazzreparteeretortrevileribridiculeriposterude reproachsallysarcasmscintillatescintillationscoffscoff atscoffingscoldscoutscurrilityshort answerslamslapslap atslap in the facesmart cracksmart sayingsnappy comebacksneersneer atsparklesquelchstroke of witswipetauntteasethrusttreat with indignityturn of thoughttwituncomplimentary remarkutter a motverbal thrustwisecrackwitticism
Verb(4 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: barb, affront, agree, aphorism, apothegm.
- Sentence evidence is available for gibe, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "gibe".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "gibe"
Keep "gibe" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "gibe" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "gibe", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "gibe" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
21 entriesShowing 16 of 21 words.
More specific
7 entriesCollocations
11 entriesInflections
5 entriessimilar
9 entriesSample sentences
7 total sentences available.
Alas poore Yoricke, […] where be your gibes now? your gamboles? your ſongs? your flaſhes of merriment, that were wont to ſet the table on a roare, not one now to mocke your owne grinning, quite chopfalne.
Source: wiktionary
[George] Carlin's opening-night monologue included some blunt gibes at organized religion which would almost certainly have been cut out of any other network show.
Source: wiktionary
But an ugly eruption of racist gibes against some of its young Black players was a reminder that not everyone glories in the diverse portrait of the country that this team reflects.
Source: wiktionary
Showing 4 of 7 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "gibe"?
Closest matches include barb, affront, agree, aphorism, apothegm.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "gibe"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.