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

Synonyms & Similar 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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• 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

Examples of scoff in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Driving the 2024 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 Purists may scoff at this subcompact AMG’s lack of cylinders, but rest assured, this thing’s got ample punch. —Peter Nelson, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

Democrats, who have described Project 2025 as a far-right agenda that threatens basic American freedoms, have scoffed at Trump’s efforts to distance himself from the plan — noting that much of it was written by past Trump advisors or appointees. —Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2024

Noun

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

That drew scoffs of laughter from the Democratic side of the aisle. —Lisa Mascaro, Farnoush Amiri, Stephen Groves and Keving Freking The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2023