heckler

[hek-ler, hek-uh-ler]

noun

1. 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of heckler¹

heckle ( def. ) + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Crows cawed from the fields like a gang of hecklers.

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And the King heard that unhappiness first hand from a heckler in Lichfield this week, who shouted: "How long have you known about Andrew and Epstein?"

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Earlier in the day, Chancellor Rachel Reeves' speech had been interrupted by a pro-Palestinian heckler who held up a Palestinian flag and said: "Why is Britain still arming Israel?"

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By this stage, the exasperated European pair - as well as vice-captain Eduardo Molinari - were pointing out hecklers to the police officers, who had visibly moved in tighter in a bid to calm the mood.

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Britain's Jacob Fearnley overcame nerves in the big moments - and a heckler - to secure the first US Open main-draw win of his career.

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Related Words

• dissident 
• militant