sneeze

verb

\ ˈsnēz

sneezed; sneezing

Definition of sneeze

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to make a sudden violent spasmodic audible expiration of breath through the nose and mouth especially as a reflex act

sneeze at

informal : to make light of —always used in negative statements to indicate something that is important or deserves attention …a red ribbon for second place is not to be sneezed at or scorned.— Richard Peck Perquisites and severance pay are nothing to sneeze at [=are significant]

sneeze

noun

Definition of sneeze (Entry 2 of 2)

: an act or instance of sneezing

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Examples of sneeze in a Sentence

Verb

She was constantly sneezing and coughing.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Packers' Jaire Alexander met a baby goat during his appearance at 'goat yoga' at the Children's Museum of Green Bay on Friday -- and got sneezed upon. — Lori Nickel, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Packers CB Jaire Alexander's offseason includes yoga — and on this day, goats and a bold prediction," 12 July 2019 It is spread through saliva or mucus by coughing, sneezing or talking, and by sharing eating utensils or cups. — Jason Hanna And Doug Criss, CNN, "300 inmates in Texas' Harris County jail are quarantined over a mumps outbreak," 13 June 2019 The measles virus can live for up to two hours in air where an infected person coughed or sneezed. — Anne Saker, Cincinnati.com, "Ohio reports first case of measles in two years, amid national outbreak," 3 June 2019 Symptoms can include ocular and nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing, lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors and seizures. — chicagotribune.com, "What you need to know about ‘zombie raccoons’ and how to protect your pets," 10 July 2019 One of the analysts … somehow put some of his DNA onto that blouse … by sneezing or just talking. — CBS News, ""To the families we owe justice": Inside NCIS' relentless quest to solve two cold case murders of Navy dependents," 3 July 2019 Last year’s victor was an English bulldog named Zsa Zsa, who endeared herself to the judges by sneezing and drooling on them. — Joshua Bote, USA TODAY, "A very good boy named Scamp the Tramp wins World's Ugliest Dog 2019," 24 June 2019 Measles, spread by sneezing and coughing, is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. — Laura J. Nelson, latimes.com, "Westside theater and restaurant patrons may have been exposed to measles, officials say," 23 June 2019 But not everyone sneezing when the trees start to flower is having an allergic reaction, said Dr. Caroline Sokol, principal investigator at the Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital. — Lauren Fox, BostonGlobe.com, "Pollen is getting worse, and climate change is the culprit," 14 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

That would have made Wednesday’s roiling of financial markets look like a sneeze. — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, "Edward Lotterman: Hooray for complexity in the Federal Reserve’s structure," 3 Aug. 2019 Bicker about the tidying-up or gripe about Dad’s loud sneeze? — Ivan Brett, New York Times, "5 Games to Help Make Your Vacation Great," 23 July 2019 Globe subluxation can be triggered by trauma, eyelid manipulation, or, in theory, something like forcing yourself to keep your eyes open during an extremely powerful sneeze, Dr. Steele says. — Korin Miller, SELF, "Can You Sneeze With Your Eyes Open?," 22 Mar. 2019 Esti’s most meaningful moment of communication with her grandfather, who, like Howland’s grandparents, spoke Yiddish, was a sneeze. — Abigail Deutsch, Harper's magazine, "Bette on the Blues," 22 July 2019 Advertising Measles, which can cause fever, rash and red, watery eyes, is highly contagious and spreads quickly through the air after a cough or sneeze. — Asia Fields, The Seattle Times, "2 more measles cases in King County, bringing total to 12 in Puget Sound outbreak," 11 July 2019 When your body perceives a threat, like the influenza virus your coworker just sprayed into the air via a forceful sneeze, your body ideally produces an immune response to neutralize it. — Patia Braithwaite, SELF, "What Even Causes ITP?," 21 June 2019 Unlike many other viruses, scientists think Ebola cannot spread through the air after people with the virus cough or sneeze. — Maya Wei-haas, National Geographic, "Viruses, explained," 22 Feb. 2019 At a recent trip to the Mütter Museum, Gragossian heard someone down the hall sneeze. — Aneri Pattani, https://www.inquirer.com, "Organ transplant recipients balance guilt and gratitude: 'These were supposed to be her breaths’," 5 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sneeze.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Statistics for sneeze

Last Updated

10 Aug 2019

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Time Traveler for sneeze

The first known use of sneeze was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for sneeze

sneeze

verb

English Language Learners Definition of sneeze

: to suddenly force air out through your nose and mouth with a usually loud noise because your body is reacting to dust, a sickness, etc.

See the full definition for sneeze in the English Language Learners Dictionary

sneeze

verb

\ ˈsnēz

sneezed; sneezing

Kids Definition of sneeze

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to force the breath out in a sudden and noisy way

sneeze

noun

Kids Definition of sneeze (Entry 2 of 2)

: an act or instance of sneezing

sneeze

intransitive verb

\ ˈsnēz

sneezed; sneezing

Medical Definition of sneeze

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to make a sudden violent spasmodic audible expiration of breath through the nose and mouth especially as a reflex act following irritation of the nasal mucous membrane