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
So the effort by some Democrats to reinvigorate their party’s economic agenda with a populism that identifies Trump and Republicans in Congress with corporate America and wealthy titans of industry isn’t necessarily something to sneer at, some Republicans tell me. David M. Drucker, Boston Herald, 11 Apr. 2025 Wesley Snipes is the pinnacle of undead cool as the titular daywalker, with Stephen Dorff as his perfect sneering foil. Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
Despite the show's ruminations revolving around Dorian's ego, there is no vanity in this performance where Snook sweats, sneers, and dashes across stage. Shania Russell, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025 One is Giovanni Battista Moroni’s Portrait of a Woman (ca. 1575), in which a leery-eyed woman stares down at her viewer, pressing her lips into the faintest of sneers. Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sneer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sneer
Verb
  • Everyone’s singing, dancing, looking at each other, and laughing.
    Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2025
  • The two cracked up laughing, and not about how Ohtani was swinging the bat.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • But watching a group of roughnecks on a rig in grubby overalls moving huge, long steel pipes, Dugan's smile begins to fade to a smirk.
    Kirk Siegler, NPR, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Modern thinkers stopped using these concepts altogether except in quotation marks, with a wink, a smirk, and a glance backward toward the unscientific past.
    Isaac Bashevis Singer, Harpers Magazine, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • As the verdict was announced, Read smiled and embraced her defense team.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 20 June 2025
  • After taking the dock, the BBC also said, Brown smiled and winked at a woman in the courtroom while waiting for Judge Baumgartner to arrive.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • League sources stifle their snickers in public while privately marveling at the owner’s ceaseless stupidity. 3.
    Jeff Howe, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
  • So he must be placed in the Apparition section, next to ghosts like John Barron, sharing a snicker with Ivana.
    Greg Marotta, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 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
  • The tribal leader sniggers; a trade with foreign infidels is inconceivable.
    Bing West, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2011
Noun
  • But the road to that reality has been anything but smooth, with a rally last week in Castle Rock decrying the move, a tense town hall meeting at county headquarters that ended in shouts and jeers — and a lawsuit attempting to shut the whole thing down.
    John Aguilar, Denver Post, 8 June 2025
  • There had never been physical violence against the group, but there were insults, jeers, accusations that the marchers themselves support genocide.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 8 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sneer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sneer. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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