Synonyms

heckler

American

[hek-ler, hek-uh-ler] / ˈhɛk lər, ˈhɛk ə lər /

noun

a person who harasses a public speaker or performer with impertinent questions, insults, etc..

As a comedian, you have to face any hecklers in the crowd head-on and deal with them, because if you don't, they can take over the show.

Etymology

Origin of heckler

heckle ( def. ) + -er ¹

Explanation

Have you ever screamed horrible things during a sports event, or taunted someone with cruel jokes? You might be a heckler, and you’re probably not very well-liked. The word heckler is rooted in an old Dutch verb that means “to irritate, prickle,” and hecklers can be irritating indeed. They sit at baseball games and yell insults at the players, or start booing during a spelling bee. Some comedians love hecklers and often will start heckling them back. Other comedians will jump off stage and attack a heckler — so keep that in mind if you feel like adding heckler to your résumé.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Yet, experts said, many of the problems identified in “The Heckler Report” persist.

From Salon • Oct. 31, 2024

The company enlisted a boutique agency called Heckler/Bowker, formed by Gordon Bowker, one of the original founders of Starbucks, and branding and marketing wizard Heckler.

From Seattle Times • May 1, 2024

German gun maker Heckler & Koch has filed a complaint with the Finnish Market Court over Finland's direct arms purchase from a local manufacturer, bypassing competition rules, court documents seen by Reuters showed on Tuesday.

From Reuters • Aug. 10, 2023

Under a blazing July sun, Anne Katrin Meister prepared to fire a Heckler & Koch G36, the standard rifle of the German military, or Bundeswehr.

From New York Times • Jan. 24, 2023

One of Gay’s friends, Lou Heckler, is a professional motivational speaker.

From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023