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
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 Joseph Stalin once sneered about the might of the Vatican. Howard Chua-Eoan, Mercury News, 22 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
  • Carrington laughed with teammate Marina Mabrey after the incident.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 June 2025
  • Carney almost laughed at the notion that young audiences, especially internationally, particularly care about the market size of the NBA Finalists.
    Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • Aimee Lou Wood, who played Chelsea, couldn’t believe the attention on her toothy smirk.
    Brittany Talarico, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • At information points, smiling young women advise tourists, in polished English, to purchase tickets to the Acropolis in advance to avoid long lines and the midday sun.
    Elinda Labropoulou, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
  • In the sweet photo, Alec could be seen holding up his granddaughter Holland as the two smiled together in a rare photo.
    Hannah Sacks, People.com, 27 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
  • Congresswoman faces jeers while defending Trump tax policies.
    , FOXNews.com, 30 May 2025
  • More news to know now Boos and jeers over Trump's big tax bill filled a Nebraska town hall.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 29 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sneer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sneer. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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