heckle

American  

[hek-uhl] / ˈhɛk əl /

verb (used with object)

heckled, heckling

1. to harass (a public speaker, performer, etc.) with impertinent questions, gibes, or the like; badger.

   Synonyms:

   hound, hector, needle, provoke, bait

2. hackle.

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noun

1. hackle.

heckle British  

/ ˈhɛkəl /

verb

1. to interrupt (a public speaker, performer, etc) by comments, questions, or taunts

2. Also: hackle.   hatchel.  (tr) to comb (hemp or flax)

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noun

1. an instrument for combing flax or hemp

Other Word Forms

• heckler noun

Etymology

Origin of heckle

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English hekelen, variant of hechelen “to comb flax”; akin to hackle ¹, hatchel

Example Sentences

Charles has been heckled in the street at recent public events, while Buckingham Palace has said the king has “profound concern” about the allegations against his brother.

From The Wall Street Journal

Charles has been heckled over Epstein at recent public events, an almost unheard of act in the U.K.

From The Wall Street Journal

He was repeatedly heckled in public, arriving at a memorial to a tidal wave of boos and cries of "You're not welcome".

From BBC

IShowSpeed began his Lagos visit at the bustling Balogun Market in the Lagos Island district, where crowds heckled him and asked for money.

From Barron's

Dingell said it isn’t uncommon for politicians to get heckled on factory floors.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• badger
• bully
• embarrass
• hound
• interrupt
• pester
• rattle
• ridicule
• taunt
• tease