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
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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 His response was met with laughter and scoffs of disbelief from the audience.—Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 21 Feb. 2024
Noun
One high-profile conservative scoffed at the idea of Weiss being one of them, noting that the White House continues to deny The Free Press credentials.—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 7 Oct. 2025 The latter may scoff at the idea of a nostalgic horror movie, but anyone who's had the urge to peek through their fingers as nightmares unfold in front of them knows that fear can be both cathartic and illuminating.—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scoff
Anderson plunges the audience into the rebels’ point of view, immersing us in the recalcitrant pride and swagger of Perfidia Beverly Hills, a revolutionary leader played by Teyana Taylor with a hypnotic sneer of defiance.
—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
17 Sep. 2025
Jacob sneers, but doesn’t even wait for his son to answer.
Inhale the Oils Using the Dry Evaporation Method The dry evaporation method is another way to inhale essential oils indirectly but effectively.
—
Emily Brown,
Verywell Health,
21 Oct. 2025
Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia — fear of long words (The longest word found in major English dictionaries is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis, a 45-letter word describing a lung disease caused by inhaling fine silica dust.
—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Oct. 2025
What's more, while virtually all VTOLs being developed these days are electric, the Janus-1 is powered by a turboshaft engine that gulps n' burns diesel, kerosene or Jet A fuel.
—
Ben Coxworth
October 21,
New Atlas,
21 Oct. 2025
Perhaps a whale or a shark would arrive to gulp down the passengers, one by one.
Hoosiers are watching their electric bills balloon, communities are rallying against energy-gobbling data centers, and government officials, consumer advocates and utilities have competing interests and ideas for how to move forward, including building several nuclear reactors.
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