sneer

To sneer is to speak or make an expression that exhibits contempt or mocking.

(verb)

An example of to sneer is when you give someone a mocking smile as you make fun of them.

The definition of a sneer is an expression that exhibits contempt or mocking.

(noun)

An example of a sneer is a mocking smile that someone makes that shows his contempt.

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See sneer in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb

  1. to smile derisively; show scorn or contempt as by curling the upper lip
  2. to express derision, scorn, or contempt in speech or writing

Origin: ME sneren, akin to Fris sneere, to scorn, Dan snaere, to grin like a dog: see snarl

transitive verb

  1. to utter with a sneer or in a sneering manner
  2. to affect in a particular way by sneering: to sneer down a proposal

noun

  1. an act of sneering
  2. a sneering expression, insinuation, etc.

Related Forms:

See sneer in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. A scornful facial expression characterized by a slight raising of one corner of the upper lip.
  2. A contemptuous facial expression, sound, or statement.
verb sneered, sneer·ing, sneers
verb, transitive
To utter with a sneer or in a sneering manner.
verb, intransitive
  1. To assume a scornful, contemptuous, or derisive facial expression.
  2. To speak in a scornful, contemptuous, or derisive manner.

Origin:

Origin: From Middle English sneren, to mock

Origin: , alteration of Old English fnǣran, to breathe heavily; see pneu- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • sneerˈer noun
  • sneerˈful, sneerˈy adjective
  • sneerˈing·ly adverb

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