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flout

verb
\ ˈflau̇t How to pronounce flout (audio) \
flouted; flouting; flouts

Definition of flout

 (Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

: to treat with contemptuous disregard : scorn flouting the rules

intransitive verb

: to indulge in scornful behavior Ah, you may flout and turn up your faces— Robert Browning

flout

noun

Definition of flout (Entry 2 of 2)

: jeer
Other Words from flout Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Flaunt vs. Flout: Usage Guide Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about flout

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Other Words from flout

Verb

flouter noun

Synonyms for flout

Synonyms: Verb

despise, disregard, scorn

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Choose the Right Synonym for flout

Verb

scoff, jeer, gibe, fleer, sneer, flout mean to show one's contempt in derision or mockery. scoff stresses insolence, disrespect, or incredulity as motivating the derision. scoffed at their concerns jeer suggests a coarser more undiscriminating derision. the crowd jeered at the prisoners gibe implies taunting either good-naturedly or in sarcastic derision. hooted and gibed at the umpire fleer suggests grinning or grimacing derisively. the saucy jackanapes fleered at my credulity sneer stresses insulting by contemptuous facial expression, phrasing, or tone of voice. sneered at anything romantic flout stresses contempt shown by refusal to heed. flouted the conventions of polite society

Flaunt vs. Flout: Usage Guide

Verb

Although the "treat contemptuously" sense of flaunt undoubtedly arose from confusion with flout, the contexts in which it appears cannot be called substandard. meting out punishment to the occasional mavericks who operate rigged games, tolerate rowdyism, or otherwise flaunt the law — Oscar Lewis observed with horror the flaunting of their authority in the suburbs, where men … put up buildings that had no place at all in a Christian commonwealth — Marchette Chute in our profession … very rarely do we publicly chastise a colleague who has flaunted our most basic principles — R. T. Blackburn, AAUP Bull. If you use it, however, you should be aware that many people will consider it a mistake. Use of flout in the sense of "flaunt, parade" is found occasionally. "The proper pronunciation," the blonde said, flouting her refined upbringing, "is pree feeks" — Mike Royko

Did You Know?

Verb

Watch out when using "flaunt" and "flout." Critics have been complaining about the confusion of these two words since the early 1900s. Flaunt means "to display ostentatiously," and most usage commentators consider it an error to use "flaunt" with the meaning "to treat with contemptuous disregard" (even though some admit to doing it themselves). Many educated writers have used "flaunt" in the "flout" sense for years, but the notoriety of the controversy is so great, and the belief that it's wrong to use "flaunt" for "flout" is so deep-seated, that we think you would do best to keep the two words distinct.

Examples of flout in a Sentence

Verb

 Despite repeated warnings, they have continued to flout the law. an able-bodied motorist openly flouting the law and parking in a space reserved for the disabled

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

 But then there's the Elekto Dumper—the world's largest EV—which flouts the rule that EVs can't handle serious work. — Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, "The World's Largest Electric Vehicle Is a Dump Truck," 21 Aug. 2019 Photographed by Ben Baker for Fortune The rejection of the system was manifest in the 2016 Brexit vote, when the British masses flouted the collective wisdom of corporate and political leaders. — Fortune, "America’s CEOs Seek a New Purpose for the Corporation," 19 Aug. 2019 The commission plans to forward the findings of its investigation to Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry's office after Paul flouted its directive to register as a lobbyist in connection with his work for the state's troubled veterans agency. — Tony Cook, Indianapolis Star, "Former lawmaker catches heat for secretive deal with Indiana veterans agency," 7 Aug. 2019 But Amnesty International said that the embargo is not being properly enforced and has accused Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey of flouting the ban. — Chandler Thornton, CNN, "At least 40 killed after airstrike targets migrant center in Libya," 3 July 2019 Many social media sites, including Instagram, set the minimum age at 13, a rule that many children regularly flout to sign up. — Los Angeles Times, "Young Instagram users sacrifice privacy in search of metrics," 26 July 2019 Mayor Luke Bronin has passed his deadline to hire or replace three of Hartford’s temporary department heads, flouting a city rule that limits interim directors to six months on the job. — Rebecca Lurye, courant.com, "Three Hartford department heads have overstayed their temporary positions," 19 July 2019 Some are out in the open, such as threatening mass deportations, holding migrant children in cages and flouting the Supreme Court’s decision to not include a question about citizenship on the upcoming census. — Esther J. Cepeda, The Mercury News, "Cepeda: New ICE plan threatens immigrants and communities," 11 July 2019 Challenging the basic assumptions of culture and flouting the public consensus — try smoking a cigarette within sniffing distance of the nice people. — Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, "Social-Media Censors vs. Gays," 26 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flout.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of flout

Verb

1551, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1566, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for flout

Verb and Noun

probably from Middle English flouten to play the flute, from floute flute

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More Definitions for flout

flout

verb
How to pronounce flout (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of flout

: to break or ignore (a law, rule, etc.) without hiding what you are doing or showing fear or shame

See the full definition for flout in the English Language Learners Dictionary

flout

verb
\ ˈflau̇t How to pronounce flout (audio) \
flouted; flouting

Kids Definition of flout

: to ignore in an open and disrespectful way The children flouted the rules.

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