Sneer

/snɪr/

Meaning & Definition

noun

a contemptuous or mocking smile or remark.

His sneer made it clear that he thought very little of her proposal.

a facial expression of scorn or disdain.

The sneer on her face revealed her true feelings about the topic.

verb

to smile or speak in a contemptuous or mocking manner.

He couldn't help but sneer at the ridiculous suggestion.

to express scorn or contempt through one's facial expression.

She sneered at his clumsy attempt to dance.

Middle English, from Old Norse 'snara', meaning to snare.

sneer at

To regard someone or something with scorn or disdain.

sneer in the face of

To show contempt or disrespect towards someone or something directly.

scoff

To speak to someone or about something in a scornfully derisive or mocking way.

deride

To ridicule or mock someone or something.

Throw shade

She sneered at his outfit, totally throwing shade.

Diss

He didn't just sneer, he really dissed her in front of everyone.