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 of snub

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

James Ransone‘s widow Jamie McPhee is calling out the Television Academy for excluding the late actor during the Emmys In Memoriam tribute, which marked the second time this year Ransone was snubbed by a major awards ceremony. — Zack Sharf, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

In fact, Hall’s performance is sometimes cited as one of the greatest Oscar snubs in history. — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026

Noun

Its complete omission from the 2026 Latin Grammy nominations was one of the most notable snubs on Wednesday morning. — Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2026

The Pro Football Hall of Fame cut its number of voters in half, among other changes, following its snub of first-time-eligible coach Bill Belichick. — Matt Piper, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026

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