flout

[ flout ]

See synonyms for flout 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)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use flout in a sentence

Israel is routinely flouting international law and has done so for decades.
Levy is Right | Yousef Munayyer | July 13, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
There would be nothing to stop him from flouting a campaign promise, even one as sensitive as his tax pledge.
In Second Term, What Will Obama Do About Bush Tax Cuts? | Noam Scheiber | March 2, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
The result is that some topics are off-limits and others require flouting the facts.
Toadying to the Tea Party | Howard Kurtz | May 31, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
MSNBC President Phil Griffin suspended his biggest star for flouting network rules against making political contributions.
Olbermann's Wrist Slap | Howard Kurtz | November 7, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
While he gambled on being able to pull off the financial rescue, the House Republicans gambled on flouting him.
McCain at War with His Own Party | Sidney Blumenthal | October 7, 2008 | THE DAILY BEAST

You cannot pretend that she was right in ignoring me, flouting me, insulting me!
The Thin Red Line; and Blue Blood | Arthur Griffiths
You have shown total disregard of our feelings by glorifying the Punjab administration and flouting the Mosulman sentiment.
Freedom's Battle | Mahatma Gandhi
Bayne, flouting fear as a folly, yet himself feeling the cold chill of dismay, dared not dismiss their anxieties as groundless.
The Ordeal | Charles Egbert Craddock
“I hoped I was flouting new beginnings,” he answered soberly, and he rowed languidly in a silence which Madeline rushed to fill.
Jewel Weed | Alice Ames Winter
He began to be bitterly attacked in some American newspapers, which accused him of "flouting his Americanism throughout Europe."
The Story of Cooperstown | Ralph Birdsall

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

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