Synonyms of scoff

scoff 1 of 2

verb

as in to devour

to swallow or eat greedily

scoffed dinner before running off to the basketball game

Synonyms & Similar Words

• devour
• inhale
• gulp
• gobble
• cram
• wolf
• raven
• scarf
• slop
• gorge
• glut
• gormandize
• overeat
• ingurgitate
• swill
• bolt
• pig out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pick
• nibble
• peck

scoff

2 of 2

noun

as in sneer

Related Words

• sneer
• smirk
• stare
• glower
• glare
• simper
• look
• rictus
• growl
• snarl
• wince
• frown
• grimace
• scowl
• flinch
• pout
• mouth
• lour
• moue
• mow
• lower
• squinch
• face
• mug
• snoot

Dissimilar Words

• smile
• laugh
• grin

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of scoff

Verb

Thankfully things didn't escalate beyond a scoff in this case, but what should a traveler do in a similar situation to handle a pushy fellow passenger civilly? —Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024

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

Noun

When a reporter asked Texas Governor Greg Abbott who is to blame for the deaths of more than 100 people in this month’s catastrophic Guadalupe River flooding, Abbott scoffed. —Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 14 July 2025

Tesla’s critics scoff at its valuation, but if robotaxis work, the real question becomes: is it undervalued? —Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025