How is the word scoff distinct from other similar verbs?
Some common synonyms of scoff are fleer, flout, gibe, jeer, and sneer. While all these words mean "to show one's contempt in derision or mockery," scoff stresses insolence, disrespect, or incredulity as motivating the derision.
scoffed at their concerns
In what contexts can fleer take the place of scoff?
While in some cases nearly identical to scoff, fleer suggests grinning or grimacing derisively.
the saucy jackanapes fleered at my credulity
When can flout be used instead of scoff?
Although the words flout and scoff have much in common, flout stresses contempt shown by refusal to heed.
flouted the conventions of polite society
When might gibe be a better fit than scoff?
In some situations, the words gibe and scoff are roughly equivalent. However, gibe implies taunting either good-naturedly or in sarcastic derision.
hooted and gibed at the umpire
When could jeer be used to replace scoff?
The synonyms jeer and scoff are sometimes interchangeable, but jeer suggests a coarser more undiscriminating derision.
the crowd jeered at the prisoners
Where would sneer be a reasonable alternative to scoff?
The words sneer and scoff can be used in similar contexts, but sneer stresses insulting by contemptuous facial expression, phrasing, or tone of voice.
sneered at anything romantic
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of scoff
Verb
For anyone who scoffs at complaints about frivolous lawsuits, the Colorado Civil Rights Division’s most recent annual report shows that of 1,254 public accommodation complaints in 2022-23, only nine were determined to show probable cause for further action.—Mark Hillman, Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2025 Garrett first scoffs when his sparring partner, an innocent-looking chicken, enters the wrestling ring.—Esther Zuckerman, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
In the past, when my friends and I were bold enough to ask that the television behind the bar be changed to a Wisconsin women's volleyball game, it was met by scoffs from a few Brewers fans who couldn't be bothered to turn their chairs to look at the two other TVs in the room.—Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2024 As the ancient practice of yoga morphs to meet ever-shifting American tastes, Charlotte is embracing a new variation that might have drawn scoffs just a few years ago.—Roland Wilkerson, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2024 See All Example Sentences for scoff
However, library patrons continue to devour non-digital media.
—
Katie Lauer,
Mercury News,
7 May 2025
The dog's eagerness to devour the strawberry could be down to genetics, according to a Cambridge University study published in Cell Metabolism back in May 2016.
In a movie climate where remakes tend to draw sneers of derision and claims that people have just gotten too lazy to invent anything new, Disney’s remakes of its own products are always a chief target.
—
Stephanie Zacharek,
TIME,
21 Mar. 2025
But the moralistic sneer didn’t take long to enter the postgame analysis.
As months and years of data arrived, Keeling’s rigorous work revealed two global phenomena: Earth’s plants inhaling CO2 each summer and exhaling it each winter, and CO2 levels’ unrelenting annual increase.
—
Ashley Braun,
Smithsonian Magazine,
19 May 2025
Workers who inhaled Teflon fumes developed flu-like symptoms.
In group settings, Edelman was good for a clip on the local news, making a wry joke about his own passing abilities, the opposing team or Brady with a smirk on his face.
—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
6 May 2025
Everyone has always wondered what that smirk was all about from day one.
The main risk with giving ice cubes is choking, especially for small dogs or dogs that gulp their food.
—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
The Ratliff family is on the brink of financial ruin as Jason Isaacs’ patriarch Timothy holds out from telling his wife or children and instead gulps down Victoria’s (Parker Posey) lorazepam to dissociate from reality.
Share