Synonyms of sneer

sneer 1 of 2

verb

ˈsnir 

as in to laugh

to express scornful amusement by means of facial contortions

they brushed off his sneer and went about their business

Synonyms & Similar Words

• laugh
• smile
• snicker
• snigger
• snort
• sniff
• jeer
• insult
• ridicule
• disdain
• deride
• jibe
• despise
• scorn
• mock
• decry
• gibe
• taunt
• hoot
• disparage
• scoff (at)
• belittle
• tease
• catcall
• pooh
• torment
• heckle
• pooh-pooh
• bad-mouth
• jive
• rib
• ride
• razz
• put down

sneer

2 of 2

noun

as in smirk

Synonyms & Similar Words

• smirk
• snicker
• snigger
• jeer
• hiss
• snort
• jibe
• boo
• taunt
• raspberry
• razz
• gibe
• Bronx cheer
• bird
• catcall
• whistle
• hoot
• put-down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cheer
• applause
• clapping

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sneer distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of sneer are fleer, flout, gibe, jeer, and scoff. While all these words mean "to show one's contempt in derision or mockery," sneer stresses insulting by contemptuous facial expression, phrasing, or tone of voice.

sneered at anything romantic

When is it sensible to use fleer instead of sneer?

The meanings of fleer and sneer largely overlap; however, fleer suggests grinning or grimacing derisively.

the saucy jackanapes fleered at my credulity

When might flout be a better fit than sneer?

While the synonyms flout and sneer are close in meaning, flout stresses contempt shown by refusal to heed.

flouted the conventions of polite society

Where would gibe be a reasonable alternative to sneer?

The words gibe and sneer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, gibe implies taunting either good-naturedly or in sarcastic derision.

hooted and gibed at the umpire

When could jeer be used to replace sneer?

The words jeer and sneer can be used in similar contexts, but jeer suggests a coarser more undiscriminating derision.

the crowd jeered at the prisoners

In what contexts can scoff take the place of sneer?

While in some cases nearly identical to sneer, scoff stresses insolence, disrespect, or incredulity as motivating the derision.

scoffed at their concerns

Examples of sneer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Only this time, instead of sneering insolence, Matt Smith’s Daemon was near tears as the king ripped into his brother. —Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 21 July 2024

Sylvie openly sneers at how eager and vapid her young American employee appears to be. —Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 15 Aug. 2024

Noun

And right up to his final sleight of hand, Hartnett maniacally laughing, his sneer bringing us back to that final shot of Norman Bates in Hitchcock’s 1960 movie. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 2 Aug. 2024

Their prominent snouts protrude in a furious sneer, and their teeth are long and pinlike. —Katherine Rundell, The New Yorker, 29 July 2024