Sneer
verb
To smile or speak in a contemptuous or mocking manner.
She sneered at his attempts to apologize.
Often appears as...
- sneer at someone
- sneer in contempt
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
A contemptuous or mocking smile, remark, or tone.
His words were a sneer, full of disdain.
Often appears as...
- a sneer of contempt
- sneer of derision
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To show or express disdain, doubt, or contempt.
The critics sneered at his latest film work.
Often appears as...
- sneer at the idea
- sneer at her achievements
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To smile or speak in a contemptuous or mocking manner.
She sneered at his attempts to apologize.
Often appears as...
- sneer at someone
- sneer in contempt
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
A contemptuous or mocking smile, remark, or tone.
His words were a sneer, full of disdain.
Often appears as...
- a sneer of contempt
- sneer of derision
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To show or express disdain, doubt, or contempt.
The critics sneered at his latest film work.
Often appears as...
- sneer at the idea
- sneer at her achievements
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Emotion
Used to show dislike or disrespect towards someone or something.
He couldn't hide the sneer when he saw the amateur artwork.
Pro Tip 2/3Strong Disapproval
Indicates strong disapproval or suggests that something isn’t worth considering.
Jill sneered at the old man's unfashionable clothes.
Pro Tip 3/3Power Dynamics
Can imply a sense of superiority or arrogance from the speaker.
The wealthy businessman sneered at the street vendors.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Emotion
Used to show dislike or disrespect towards someone or something.
He couldn't hide the sneer when he saw the amateur artwork.
Pro Tip 2/3Strong Disapproval
Indicates strong disapproval or suggests that something isn’t worth considering.
Jill sneered at the old man's unfashionable clothes.
Pro Tip 3/3Power Dynamics
Can imply a sense of superiority or arrogance from the speaker.
The wealthy businessman sneered at the street vendors.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Emotion
Used to show dislike or disrespect towards someone or something.
He couldn't hide the sneer when he saw the amateur artwork.
Pro Tip 2/3Strong Disapproval
Indicates strong disapproval or suggests that something isn’t worth considering.
Jill sneered at the old man's unfashionable clothes.
Pro Tip 3/3Power Dynamics
Can imply a sense of superiority or arrogance from the speaker.
The wealthy businessman sneered at the street vendors.
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Video examples
Felix Dennis' odes to...
ever has, or ever could have done. I was born in Britain, as you have probably guessed. Even when on its worst behavior, I find myself automatically defending the USA from the sneers of green-eyed Europhiles
Video examples
No Luck Snaring Rabbits...
now if there's nothing here then I'm taking my snare stand and that's it for a rabbit sneering in this in this area anyway it's not a food source here
Video examples
Felix Dennis' odes to...
ever has, or ever could have done. I was born in Britain, as you have probably guessed. Even when on its worst behavior, I find myself automatically defending the USA from the sneers of green-eyed Europhiles
Video examples
No Luck Snaring Rabbits...
now if there's nothing here then I'm taking my snare stand and that's it for a rabbit sneering in this in this area anyway it's not a food source here
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Stephen Merchant
English Writer
A lot of stand-up comedians are actually very insecure, and they come on slightly battling the audience. They want to be the superior person in the room, sneering at the world. That can be very funny. But to me, what's more interesting is that the world is on my shoulders, and it's pushing me down.
Quote examples
Ayelet Waldman
Israeli Novelist
I've sometimes thought that it's only by recalling that desperate devotion my kids once felt for me that I can maintain my own desperate devotion in the face of their adolescent sneering.
Quote examples
Charles Kingsley
English Clergyman
The world goes up and the world goes down, the sunshine follows the rain; and yesterday's sneer and yesterday's frown can never come over again.
Quote examples
Gustav Heinemann
German Politician
Therefore it does not help to sneer at the imperfection of today's reality or to preach absolutes as a daily agenda.
Quote examples
Jonny Greenwood
English Musician
I was happy using cassettes when I was fifteen, but I'm sure they were sneered at in their day by audiophiles.
Quote examples
Shawn Crahan
American Musician
I'm pretty infamous for opening my garage and standing in the middle of it and sneering.
Quote examples
William Gilbert
British Composer
My family pride is something inconceivable. I can't help it. I was born sneering.
Quote examples
Alex Kapranos
Scottish Musician
Ambition is sneered at by some bands. It seems like a pretty good thing to me.
Quote examples
Jack Kevorkian
American Activist
What looks like enjoyment is the sneer of contempt. That's not a smile.
Quote examples
Camille Paglia
American Author
Anti-religious sneers are a hallmark of perpetual adolescents.
Quote examples
Stephen Merchant
English Writer
A lot of stand-up comedians are actually very insecure, and they come on slightly battling the audience. They want to be the superior person in the room, sneering at the world. That can be very funny. But to me, what's more interesting is that the world is on my shoulders, and it's pushing me down.
Quote examples
Ayelet Waldman
Israeli Novelist
I've sometimes thought that it's only by recalling that desperate devotion my kids once felt for me that I can maintain my own desperate devotion in the face of their adolescent sneering.
Quote examples
Charles Kingsley
English Clergyman
The world goes up and the world goes down, the sunshine follows the rain; and yesterday's sneer and yesterday's frown can never come over again.
Quote examples
Gustav Heinemann
German Politician
Therefore it does not help to sneer at the imperfection of today's reality or to preach absolutes as a daily agenda.
Quote examples
Jonny Greenwood
English Musician
I was happy using cassettes when I was fifteen, but I'm sure they were sneered at in their day by audiophiles.
Quote examples
Shawn Crahan
American Musician
I'm pretty infamous for opening my garage and standing in the middle of it and sneering.
Quote examples
William Gilbert
British Composer
My family pride is something inconceivable. I can't help it. I was born sneering.
Quote examples
Alex Kapranos
Scottish Musician
Ambition is sneered at by some bands. It seems like a pretty good thing to me.
Quote examples
Jack Kevorkian
American Activist
What looks like enjoyment is the sneer of contempt. That's not a smile.
Quote examples
Camille Paglia
American Author
Anti-religious sneers are a hallmark of perpetual adolescents.
Example 1 of 10
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