flout

American  

[flout] / flaʊt /

verb (used with object)

1. to treat with disdain, scorn, or contempt; scoff at; mock.

   to flout the rules of propriety.

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verb (used without object)

1. to show disdain, scorn, or contempt; scoff, mock, or gibe (often followed byat ).

noun

1. a disdainful, scornful, or contemptuous remark or act; insult; gibe.

flout British  

/ flaʊt /

verb

1. to show contempt (for); scoff or jeer (at)

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Commonly Confused

See flaunt.

Other Word Forms

• flouter noun
• floutingly adverb
• unflouted adjective

Etymology

Origin of flout

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English flouten “to play the flute” ( flute ); compare Dutch fluiten “to play the flute, talk smoothly, soothe, blandish, impose upon, jeer”

Example Sentences

But never before have so many Iranians been willing to flout the Islamic Republic’s social rules at the same time, say residents and analysts.

From The Wall Street Journal

It argues the judge "flouted" new guidelines and improperly considered conduct for which Combs had been acquitted when formulating his punishment.

From BBC

But speaking to CBS programme Face the Nation on Sunday, Massie suggested that the justice department was "flouting the spirit and the letter of the law".

From BBC

Transport accidents are common in Indonesia, a vast Southeast Asian archipelago where vehicles are often old and poorly maintained and road rules regularly flouted.

From Barron's

"They are flouting the spirit and the letter of the law," he told CBS News on Sunday.

From BBC

Related Words

• defy
• disregard
• mock
• repudiate
• scorn
• spurn