flout

[ flout ]

See synonyms for: flout flouted flouting flouter on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to treat with disdain, scorn, or contempt; scoff at; mock: to flout the rules of propriety.

verb (used without object)

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

noun

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

Origin of flout

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

confusables note For flout

See flaunt.

Other words from flout

flouter, noun
flout·ing·ly, adverb
un·flout·ed, adjective

Words that may be confused with flout

flaunt, flout (see confusables note at flaunt)

Words Nearby flout

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use flout in a sentence

It was a big story—indicating that Israel was continuing to flout international law to prevent Hezbollah from getting weapons.
How the Syrian War Subreddit Scoops Mainstream Media | Nina Strochlic | November 7, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Republicans could flout their own resentments and true believers.
Democrats Need to Stop Attacking Obama’s Budget and Wake Up to Reality | Robert Shrum | April 14, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
How do you openly flout a landmark Supreme Court ruling and not suffer any consequences?
Supreme Court Outlawed Executing Mentally Retarded, But Texas Does It Anyway | David R. Dow | August 14, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
He chose the country and let Alice flout contemporary morals, carousing and smoking in public.
Kate Upton’s Congressman Uncle and More Scandalous Political Ties | Ben Jacobs | February 15, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
A pardon would flout the principle that even the president is not above the law.
Will Bush Pardon Himself? | Kenneth Roth | January 18, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST

It is one of the oldest institutions of the country, which even we upon our hundred acres would not have dared to flout.
Thirty Years in Australia | Ada Cambridge
We English, once upon a time, did especially flout the little nation then acting a history that proved worth the writing.
Ceres' Runaway | Alice Meynell
Couldn't afford to offend Railway Directors, yet wouldn't do to flout numerous body of working-men, chiefly voters.
Punch, Or The London Charivari, Vol. 100., Jan. 31, 1891 | Various
Very easy it is for you, who have the impudence to flout kings, to talk thus to one who is frightened of strangers.
The Court Jester | Cornelia Baker
Is it a safe thing, think you, Sir Count, to jest with a princess in her own land and then come back to flout her for it?
Joan of the Sword Hand | S(amuel) R(utherford) Crockett

British Dictionary definitions for flout

flout

/ (flaʊt) /

verb

(when intr, usually foll by at) to show contempt (for); scoff or jeer (at)

Origin of flout

C16: perhaps from Middle English flouten to play the flute, from Old French flauter compare Dutch fluiten; see flute

flout

See flaunt

Derived forms of flout

flouter, noun
floutingly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Browse