sneer
verb (used without object)
to smile, laugh, or contort the face in a manner that shows scorn or contempt.
sneered
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past participleof sneer.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof sneer.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
sneerverb (used without object)to smile, laugh, or contort the face in a manner that shows scorn or contempt.
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.
When I said I had moved up from Fort Lauderdale, my host sneered: “Florida is a swamp.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026
Rowling sneered at Oates’ concern, while Musk referred to the author as “a bit of an extinctionist.”
From Slate ● Nov. 13, 2025
A couple of generations ago, Antiguan dialect was sneered at and children were commonly forbidden to speak it in school.
From BBC ● Feb. 15, 2025
"Oh great," he sneered, and boy, did Zuckerberg light up.
From Salon ● Feb. 12, 2025
Abby sneered, “My big brave brother, Crrrash Coogan, is afraid of mice.”
From "Crash" by Jerry Spinelli
