sneer

[ sneer ]

/ snɪər /

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See synonyms for: sneer / sneered / sneering / sneerer on Thesaurus.com

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR sneer

2 gibe.

5 scoff, gibe, jeer.

See synonyms for sneer on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of sneer

First recorded in 1545–55; originally, “to snort”; compare Frisian (northern dialect) sneere “scornful remark,” snarl¹

synonym study for sneer

2. See scoff¹.

OTHER WORDS FROM sneer

sneerer, nounsneerful, adjectivesneer·ing·ly, adverbsneerless, adjective

sub·sneer, nounun·sneer·ing, adjectiveun·sneer·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use sneer in a sentence

Their shocked glee was cacophonous: for many conservatives, the glitterati of Hollywood are a bunch of sneering atheists.
Matthew McConaughey’s God Moment|William O’Connor|March 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The far more disturbing aspect is the sneering tone of accusation that can creep into the latest revelation.
Could Tylenol Cause ADHD?|Kent Sepkowitz|February 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Second: even if the idea were a good idea, the NRA's sneering references to the president's family are beyond the pale.
The NRA Guns for Sasha and Malia|David Frum|January 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Three months ago, what was on display was the well-developed British talent for carping, sneering, and nitpicking.
Britain Gets Its Groove Back|Peter Popham|September 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Then came the pivot to taking on the opposition, which Biden did with his customary relish: smiling rather than sneering.
Joe Biden’s Happy Warrior Speech|Michelle Cottle|September 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST
That cold, sneering voice, with its note of threat, was like a hand of ice upon his overheated brain.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
She repressed her anger at Marius's sneering interference, and made a little gesture of dismay with her eloquent white hands.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
Poynter uttered a sneering laugh, which made Heath wince, and turn upon him wrathfully.
The Bag of Diamonds|George Manville Fenn
The maid had the policy sometimes to submit to the mistress she ruled; with the faintest of sneering smiles she left the room.
The Rake's Progress|Marjorie Bowen
Then she caught the sneering laughter of the man, and strove again in a fury.
Riders of the Silences|John Frederick

British Dictionary definitions for sneer

sneer

/ (snɪə) /

noun

a facial expression of scorn or contempt, typically with the upper lip curled

a scornful or contemptuous remark or utterance

verb

(intr) to assume a facial expression of scorn or contempt

to say or utter (something) in a scornful or contemptuous manner

Derived forms of sneer

sneerer, nounsneerful, adjectivesneering, adjective, nounsneeringly, 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

sneer

OTHER WORDS FOR sneer

Origin of sneer

synonym study for sneer

OTHER WORDS FROM sneer

Words related to sneer

How to use sneer in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for sneer

Derived forms of sneer

Word Origin for sneer