heck ‧ le /ˈhek ə l/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive and transitive]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Origin: hackle ; ⇨ ↑ hackles ]
to interrupt and try to embarrass someone who is speaking or performing in public
—heckler noun [countable]
—heckling noun [uncountable]
• • •
THESAURUS
■ when someone is speakng
▪ interrupt [intransitive and transitive] to stop someone from continuing speaking:
She interrupted him to ask exactly how he had broken his ankle.
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Oliver began his story but was soon interrupted by the arrival of Mr Gosling.
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I wish you wouldn’t interrupt all the time.
▪ butt in [intransitive] to rudely start speaking when someone is already speaking:
Will you please stop butting in!
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Steve kept butting in with silly comments.
▪ cut somebody off/cut somebody short [intransitive] to prevent someone from finishing what they are saying:
He slammed down the phone and cut her off in mid-sentence.
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Bob began to speak but Donna cut him short.
▪ heckle [intransitive and transitive] to deliberately interrupt a speaker or performer by shouting, especially to show that you do not agree with what they are saying:
Comedians are used to dealing with members of the audience who heckle.
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The speaker was heckled by a group of protesters.
▪ chip in [intransitive] to interrupt a conversation or discussion by adding comments, especially helpful or useful ones:
Feel free to chip in if you have any comments to make.