sneer
verb (used without object)
to smile, laugh, or contort the face in a manner that shows scorn or contempt.
sneers
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pluralof sneer.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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present tense formof sneer (3rd person singular).present tense
Used to describe things happening now or regularly.
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.
In Shakespeare’s “Henry VI, Part 1,” the brave nobleman Talbot sneers at any knight who is “quite degraded, like a hedge-born swain.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 21, 2026
Sonny sneers every time he catches Josh doing a phony smile, even when the kid is simply posing for the advertisements they’re both supposedly contracted to do.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2025
The Senate, which generally sneers at the amateurism of House legislation, would have its turn; if the Senate were successful, the two chambers would then have to bridge what could be substantial differences.
From Slate ● May 20, 2025
“I ain’t an angel, you ain’t heaven-sent,” he sneers in “I Had Some Help,” a collaboration with a newly countryfied Post Malone.
From Salon ● May 16, 2025
Gilly had had plenty of practice staring down sneers, but it was hard to imagine that someone like Nonnie had.
From "The Great Gilly Hopkins" by Katherine Paterson
