SYNONYMS | EXAMPLES | WORD ORIGIN verb (used without object) 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.
verb (used with object) to utter or say in a sneering manner.
noun 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 1545–55; orig., to snort; compare
Frisian (N dial.)
sneere scornful remark,
snarl1 Related forms sneer·er , noun sneer·ful , adjective sneer·ing·ly , adverb sneer·less , adjective sub·sneer , noun un·sneer·ing , adjective un·sneer·ing·ly , adverb Synonyms for sneer 2 .
gibe . See
scoff1 .
5 . scoff, gibe, jeer.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for sneering Contemporary Examples of sneering Their shocked glee was cacophonous: for many conservatives, the glitterati of Hollywood are a bunch of sneering atheists.
The far more disturbing aspect is the sneering tone of accusation that can creep into the latest revelation.
Second: even if the idea were a good idea, the NRA's sneering references to the president's family are beyond the pale.
Three months ago, what was on display was the well-developed British talent for carping, sneering , and nitpicking.
Then came the pivot to taking on the opposition, which Biden did with his customary relish: smiling rather than sneering .
Historical Examples of sneering The detective indulged himself in a cackle of sneering merriment.
Duvillard at last murmured, sneering , but in despair, "we'll arrange it all."
Daguenet scrutinized her slyly, sneering in his chaffing way.
Old Wilson was waving a paper over his head and laughing and sneering .
His grandfather was sneering at him once more; he was always sneering at him.
British Dictionary definitions for sneering noun a facial expression of scorn or contempt, typically with the upper lip curled
a scornful or contemptuous remark or utterance
Show More
verb (intr) to assume a facial expression of scorn or contempt
to say or utter (something) in a scornful or contemptuous manner
Show More
Derived Forms sneerer , noun sneerful , adjective sneering , adjective , noun sneeringly , adverb Word Origin for sneer C16: perhaps from Low Dutch; compare North Frisian sneere contempt
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
Word Origin and History for sneering v. 1550s, "to snort" (of horses), perhaps from North Frisian sneere "to scorn," related to Old English fnæran "to snort, gnash one's teeth," of imitative origin (cf. Danish snærre "to grin like a dog," Middle Dutch, Middle High German snarren "to rattle"). Meaning "to smile contemptuously" is from 1670s; sense of "to curl the upper lip in scorn" is attested from 1775. Related: Sneered ; sneering . Sneer word is in E. Digby Baltzell (1987).
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
