Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who interrupts a public speaker or performer with aggressive, mocking, or challenging comments: A heckler is someone who deliberately shouts out remarks, questions, or objections during a speech, performance, or event, typically with the intent to disturb, embarrass, or challenge the person speaking or performing.

Usage

• The term "heckler" is used to describe an audience member who engages in disruptive behavior. It carries a negative connotation, implying the interruptions are unwelcome and intended to provoke or undermine.
• It is commonly used in contexts involving public speaking, comedy shows, political rallies, debates, and theatrical performances.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The comedian handled the heckler with a quick, witty retort.
  • During the town hall meeting, a persistent heckler kept shouting questions over the mayor's speech.
  • Security was called to remove a heckler from the political rally.

Advanced Usage

• "To play to the hecklers": To deliberately engage with or perform for the disruptive members of an audience, often to win over the crowd or defuse the situation.
  • Instead of ignoring them, the seasoned comic knew how to play to the hecklers and turn the interruption into part of the act.

Variants and Related Words

• Heckle (verb): To interrupt a speaker or performer with derisive or aggressive comments.
  • The audience began to heckle the politician during his unconvincing speech.
• Heckling (noun): The act or practice of interrupting a speaker with such comments.
  • The debate was marred by constant heckling from the crowd.

Synonyms

• Baiter: Someone who deliberately provokes or annoys.
• Disrupter: A person who interrupts an event or activity.
• Tormentor: Someone who causes persistent annoyance or distress.

Related Phrases

• To get heckled: To be the target of heckling.
  • As a new stand-up comic, you have to be prepared to get heckled.
• Heckler's veto: A situation where protesters or hecklers succeed in silencing a speaker by causing such disruption that the event cannot continue.
  • The university was accused of allowing a heckler's veto to prevent the controversial speaker from being heard.

Noun

1. someone who tries to embarrass you with gibes and questions and objections