snub

1 of 3

verb

ˈsnəb 

snubbed; snubbing

transitive verb

1

: to check or stop with a cutting retort : rebuke

2

a

: to check (something, such as a line or chain that is running out) suddenly especially by turning around a fixed object (such as a post or a cleat)

also : to check the motion of by snubbing a line

snub the anchor

b

: to restrain the action of : suppress

snub a vibration

3

: to treat with contempt or neglect

snub an old acquaintance

4

: to extinguish by stubbing

snub out a cigarette

snub

2 of 3

noun

: an act or an instance of snubbing

especially : slight

snub

3 of 3

adjective

1

or snubbed

ˈsnəbd 

: blunt, stubby

a snub nose

2

: used in snubbing

snub line

snubness noun

Synonyms

Verb

• cold-shoulder
• cut
• high-hat
• slight
• stiff
• stiff-arm

Noun

• brush-off
• cold shoulder
• rebuff
• repulse
• silent treatment

Examples of snub in a Sentence

Verb

She snubbed me in the hallway.

He snubbed their job offer.

They deliberately snubbed the meeting.

Noun

he tolerated the snubs from his in-laws because the holidays come but once a year, thankfully

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Nominated for 21 awards, Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building brings Selena Gomez her first nod for best actress in a comedy series after getting snubbed in years past. —Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Aug. 2024

Grant Ellis just went from snubbed Bachelorette suitor to Bachelor leading man in a matter of minutes. —Rebecca Iannucci, TVLine, 12 Aug. 2024

Noun

Regardless, both of Boston’s stars — Brown for his snub, Tatum for his benchings — now will have extra motivation heading into the NBA season, especially when Kerr’s Golden State Warriors come to town. —Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2024

Her snub of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress exposes her deep animosity toward our strongest ally in the Middle East. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 27 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English snibben, snubben, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse snubba to scold, Swedish dialect snubba to reproach, cut off

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1724, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing snub

• snub-nosed

Kids Definition

snub

1 of 3 verb

ˈsnəb 

snubbed; snubbing

1

: to check or stop with a reply that hurts : rebuke

2

a

: to check (as a line) suddenly while running out especially by turning around a fixed object (as a post)

b

: to check the motion of by snubbing a line

3

: to deliberately ignore or treat rudely

4

: to put out by crushing

snubber noun

snub

2 of 3 noun

: an act or an instance of snubbing

especially : rebuff entry 2

snub

3 of 3 adjective

variants or snubbed

ˈsnəbd 

: stubby, blunt