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
Joseph Stalin once sneered about the might of the Vatican. Howard Chua-Eoan, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025 Standing across the street, Nina Levene, 60, a lifelong New Yorker whose mother is a Holocaust survivor, sneered in disgust. Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 13 Mar. 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
  • What if automatic password hacking machines laugh in the face of your security efforts?
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
  • Are the locals quietly laughing at us behind our backs?
    James Fallon, Footwear News, 24 May 2025
Noun
  • Aimee Lou Wood, who played Chelsea, couldn’t believe the attention on her toothy smirk.
    Brittany Talarico, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • In group settings, Edelman was good for a clip on the local news, making a wry joke about his own passing abilities, the opposing team or Brady with a smirk on his face.
    Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 6 May 2025
Verb
  • Ian had been handsome, popular, in love with a new girlfriend—the kind of golden boy upon whom fortune smiles.
    Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 16 May 2025
  • But Delegate General Frémaux, for one, seems pleased enough with his inspection of the dress and its wearer to grip her arms and smile broadly, and that’s not a bad sign for the future.
    Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 16 May 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
  • The midfielder received jeers and whistles after he was subbed off in the 74th minute during an April 2022 home game against Norwich City.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 14 May 2025
  • Footage from an April 23 game caught the moments when Asian players from Albany High School were the subject of racist jeers.
    Abigail Adams, People.com, 9 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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