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

• reject
• isolate
• stiff
• slight
• cut
• repulse
• cold-shoulder
• repel

Noun

• dismissal
• rebuff
• rejection

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

And a stubborn cultural allergy to ambition persists - a hangover from the C.P. Snow era referred to by Cavendish, when the literary elite snubbed the scientist and, by extension, the entrepreneur. —London Business School, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

But Putin has stubbornly snubbed his demands for a ceasefire that could lead to peace talks. —Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 14 July 2025

Noun

The biggest sub takeaway is the number of snubs for major Hollywood leading ladies. —H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025

The snub leaves Newcastle needing to look elsewhere. —Simon Johnson, New York Times, 4 July 2025

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

Rhymes for snub

• bub
• club
• cub
• dub
• grub
• hub
• nub
• pub
• rub
• scrub
• shrub
• stub

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