sneer
[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.
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- to utter or say in a sneering manner.
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- 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.
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Origin of sneer
Synonyms
See more synonyms for sneer on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for sneering
Contemporary Examples
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
The detective indulged himself in a cackle of sneering merriment.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
Duvillard at last murmured, sneering, but in despair, "we'll arrange it all."
The Three Cities Trilogy, CompleteEmile Zola
Daguenet scrutinized her slyly, sneering in his chaffing way.
Old Wilson was waving a paper over his head and laughing and sneering.
The Shadow of a CrimeHall Caine
His grandfather was sneering at him once more; he was always sneering at him.
The PortygeeJoseph Crosby Lincoln
sneer
- a facial expression of scorn or contempt, typically with the upper lip curled
- a scornful or contemptuous remark or utterance
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- (intr) to assume a facial expression of scorn or contempt
- to say or utter (something) in a scornful or contemptuous manner
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Word Origin
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
sneer
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).
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sneer
n.
1707, from sneer (v.).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper