sneer
to smile, laugh, or contort the face in a manner that shows scorn or contempt: They sneered at his pretensions.
to speak or write in a manner expressive of derision or scorn.
to utter or say in a sneering manner.
a look or expression of derision, scorn, or contempt.
a derisive or scornful utterance, especially one more or less covert or insinuative.
an act of sneering.
Origin of sneer
1synonym study For sneer
Other words for sneer
Other words from sneer
- sneerer, noun
- sneerful, adjective
- sneer·ing·ly, adverb
- sneerless, adjective
- sub·sneer, noun
- un·sneer·ing, adjective
- un·sneer·ing·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use sneer in a sentence
One of those in the party, an actor, spoke very sneeringly of that romantic district and its people.
My Wonderful Visit | Charlie ChaplinI've heard of two other instances of your speaking sneeringly of him.
Warrior Gap | Charles King"The finish will decide that, I should say," Moran replied sneeringly.
Hidden Gold | Wilder AnthonyHe sneeringly replied: "I pay fur my licker an' it's nun uf yer dam business how much I drink uf it."
Watch Yourself Go By | Al. G. FieldBut he replied that he cared nothing for the police, and the others laughed sneeringly and agreed.
A Frontier Mystery | Bertram Mitford
British Dictionary definitions for sneer
/ (snɪə) /
a facial expression of scorn or contempt, typically with the upper lip curled
a scornful or contemptuous remark or utterance
(intr) to assume a facial expression of scorn or contempt
to say or utter (something) in a scornful or contemptuous manner
Origin of sneer
1Derived forms of sneer
- sneerer, noun
- sneerful, adjective
- sneering, adjective, noun
- sneeringly, 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
Browse