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View synonyms for

sneer

[ sneer ]

verb (used without object)

  1. to smile, laugh, or contort the face in a manner that shows scorn or contempt:

    They sneered at his pretensions.

  2. to speak or write in a manner expressive of derision or scorn.

    Synonyms:



verb (used with object)

  1. to utter or say in a sneering manner.

noun

  1. a look or expression of derision, scorn, or contempt.
  2. a derisive or scornful utterance, especially one more or less covert or insinuative.

    Synonyms: , ,

  3. an act of sneering.

sneer

/ ɪə /

noun

  1. a facial expression of scorn or contempt, typically with the upper lip curled
  2. a scornful or contemptuous remark or utterance
“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

verb

  1. intr to assume a facial expression of scorn or contempt
  2. to say or utter (something) in a scornful or contemptuous manner
“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
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Derived Forms

  • ˈԱԲ, adverb
  • ˈԱԲ, adjectivenoun
  • ˈԱڳܱ, adjective
  • ˈԱ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • Աİ noun
  • Աfܱ adjective
  • ԱiԲ· adverb
  • Աl adjective
  • ܲ·Ա noun
  • ܲ·ԱiԲ adjective
  • un·ԱiԲ· adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of sneer1

First recorded in 1545–55; originally, “to snort”; compare Frisian (northern dialect) sneere “scornful remark,” snarl 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of sneer1

C16: perhaps from Low Dutch; compare North Frisian sneere contempt
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Synonym Study

See scoff 1.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

He sold Amway nylons to FBI secretaries while other agents sneered.

From

“A CNN Heroes profile by Sanjay Gupta is nice. Know what would also be nice? Cooking dinner for your kids,” he said to me in a sneer masquerading as a smile.

From

This sneering resistance to the judiciary’s intervention was both entirely predictable and profoundly ominous.

From

Mohler sneered that empathy is "an artificial virtue," calling empathy "destructive and manipulative."

From

She sneers clever quips at the tormenting cops.

From

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snecksneery