sneer 1 of 2

sneer

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sneer distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of sneer are fleer, flout, gibe, jeer, and scoff. While all these words mean "to show one's contempt in derision or mockery," sneer stresses insulting by contemptuous facial expression, phrasing, or tone of voice.

sneered at anything romantic

When is it sensible to use fleer instead of sneer?

The meanings of fleer and sneer largely overlap; however, fleer suggests grinning or grimacing derisively.

the saucy jackanapes fleered at my credulity

When might flout be a better fit than sneer?

While the synonyms flout and sneer are close in meaning, flout stresses contempt shown by refusal to heed.

flouted the conventions of polite society

Where would gibe be a reasonable alternative to sneer?

The words gibe and sneer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, gibe implies taunting either good-naturedly or in sarcastic derision.

hooted and gibed at the umpire

When could jeer be used to replace sneer?

The words jeer and sneer can be used in similar contexts, but jeer suggests a coarser more undiscriminating derision.

the crowd jeered at the prisoners

In what contexts can scoff take the place of sneer?

While in some cases nearly identical to sneer, scoff stresses insolence, disrespect, or incredulity as motivating the derision.

scoffed at their concerns

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 sneer
Verb
Yungblud’s voice — a piercing yelp that exists somewhere between Gerard Way’s wail and Brian Molko’s sneer — slotted him in the alt-rock world, but his aspirations seemed to stretch far beyond that categorization. Maura Johnston, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2025 His voice—typically pitched between a bellow and a sneer—was instantly recognizable to the couple that night. Air Mail, 3 May 2025
Noun
More than a dozen were hospitalized, and Gavin Newsom's response was to sneer and condemn those who seek out our creator in our darkest moments. Jenna Sundel gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025 Unlike The Beatles, Oasis arrived in the US with trademark sneering entitlement. Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sneer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sneer
Verb
  • Years later, my mother laughed at this attitude of mine.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Victoria asks her husband, laughing.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In the quarter millennium since, scholars and activists have in different ways done their damnedest to wipe the smirk off his face.
    Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Coach Ben Johnson began Week 6 with a smirk when asked about the position.
    Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Everyone was smiling, hooting and hollering.
    Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The post included a series of pictures of D’Angelo in the studio, as well as a snap of the two musicians in which D is giving one of his classic pensive, knowing looks and Hill is smiling as the pair lean their heads together.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Early never makes fun of Maddie, never lets the audience snicker at the screen.
    Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The carnage leads to a sigh of an epilogue that seems, without giving anything away, like a curious letdown, a cruel little snicker from Aster that doesn’t entirely satisfy.
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • Each time an audience member so much as sniggers or sneezes, money is docked from a prize pot of £250,000 ($330,000), the slightest noise costing them up to £10,000 ($13,000) each time.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 2 May 2025
  • This offbeat comedy, which originally ran from 2007-10, thrives on less explicit social tensions: sniggers behind the back and raised eyebrows at the dinner table.
    The Economist, The Economist, 26 Dec. 2019
Noun
  • As his father read drafts of the Declaration of Independence, William was carted off, to jeers and insults.
    Stacy Schiff, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Throughout the weekend, McIlroy and other European players sparred with fans, provoking the Irish golfer in at least one instance to yell back at the crowd, while others flashed middle fingers in response to the jeers.
    Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sneer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sneer. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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