sneer
Americanverb (used without object)
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to smile, laugh, or contort the face in a manner that shows scorn or contempt.
They sneered at his pretensions.
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to speak or write in a manner expressive of derision or scorn.
- Synonyms:
- gibe
verb (used with object)
noun
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a facial expression of scorn or contempt, typically with the upper lip curled
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a scornful or contemptuous remark or utterance
verb
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(intr) to assume a facial expression of scorn or contempt
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to say or utter (something) in a scornful or contemptuous manner
Synonym Usage
See scoff 1.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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sneerernoun
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subsneernoun
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sneerfuladjective
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sneeringadjective
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sneerlessadjective
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unsneeringadjective
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sneeringlyadverb
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unsneeringlyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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sneersimple
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sneerssimple
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have sneeredperfect
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has sneeredperfect
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am sneeringprogressive
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are sneeringprogressive
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is sneeringprogressive
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have been sneeringperfect progressive
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has been sneeringperfect progressive
Past
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sneeredsimple
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had sneeredperfect
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was sneeringprogressive
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were sneeringprogressive
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had been sneeringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of sneer
First recorded in 1545–55; originally, “to snort”; compare Frisian (northern dialect) sneere “scornful remark,” snarl 1
Explanation
If your smile is contorted with contempt or your upper lip curled with distaste and disdain, you're probably sneering. And you should stop, because it isn't nice. Many things can elicit a sneer: a terrible red carpet outfit, a disgusting plate of food, a stupid joke told for the third time. But sneers aren't just meant to show disgust. They're mean-spirited, mocking and often downright snooty. So now that you know the definition of sneer inside and out, resist the temptation to sneer at those who don't!
Vocabulary lists containing sneer
The Lingo of Body Language
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Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I A Woman?" (1863)
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List 11
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"This woman is very intelligent, she's not here by chance. And if she does also run for a fourth time, she won't be an opponent we can sneer at," hard-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon has said.
From Barron's • Jul. 7, 2026
The ones some travelers sneer at, like magnets, T-shirts and shot glasses.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
"I think most of our characters were quite warm and quite engaging and we didn't sneer at them or mock them," says Paul.
From BBC • Jan. 24, 2026
How many generals and admirals in the audience were appalled that this talk show host and former major in the National Guard had the temerity to sneer at experienced combat commanders?
From Slate • Sep. 30, 2025
Briggs’s laugh was gone and he had that sneer again.
From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
