as in laughs
to express scornful amusement by means of facial contortions
they brushed off his sneer and went about their business
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Recent Examples of sneers
Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Jacob sneers, but doesn’t even wait for his son to answer.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
Meanwhile her old-school Communist grandmother sneers at the tactics her Red Diaper daughter employed.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Jacob sneers, but doesn’t even wait for his son to answer.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sneers
Verb
-
Simmons laughs when recalling the experience.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Honestly, my only regret is this thing in the eye [laughs].—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In one clip verified by ABC News, a man smiles at the camera, standing amid dozens of charred vehicles and lifeless bodies.—
Guy Davies,
ABC News,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Prue takes a bite, just smiles, and gives Tom a big thumbs-up.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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While there were a few snickers, the photographers obliged and got their photos.—
Brittany Spanos,
Rolling Stone,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
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His remarks received a mixed reaction from the crowd, with cheers, jeers and a few boos.—
Stephanie Murray,
AZCentral.com,
19 Dec. 2025
-
In the years leading up to the massive and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests that swept Hong Kong in 2019, China’s national anthem was frequently greeted with jeers and boos from supporters of the local team.—
Fred He,
CNN Money,
18 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Clearing right-of-way strips can result in the loss of trees and native vegetation; crackles, hisses and humming can be heard nearby especially during periods of high humidity; and farm fields and animal habitat can be affected by construction activities.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
12 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sneers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sneers. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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