1
: an expression of scorn, derision, or contempt : gibe
2
: an object of scorn, mockery, or derision
scoffed; scoffing; scoffs
: to show contempt by derisive acts or language
scoffed at the idea
: to treat or address with derision : mock
scoffer
noun
scoffed; scoffing; scoffs
1
: to eat greedily
scoffed dinner
2
: seize
—often used with up
scoffed up the free gifts
: to eat something greedily
Synonyms
Examples of scoff in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024
In the past, when my friends and I were bold enough to ask that the television behind the bar be changed to a Wisconsin women's volleyball game, it was met by scoffs from a few Brewers fans who couldn't be bothered to turn their chairs to look at the two other TVs in the room.
—Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2024
As the ancient practice of yoga morphs to meet ever-shifting American tastes, Charlotte is embracing a new variation that might have drawn scoffs just a few years ago.
—Roland Wilkerson, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2024
That drew scoffs of laughter from the Democratic side of the aisle.
—Lisa Mascaro, Farnoush Amiri, Stephen Groves and Keving Freking The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2023
Drescher’s trek to Puglia in southern Italy also drew scoffs from the management side of Hollywood’s bargaining table.
—William Earl, Variety, 10 July 2023
The Foundling he’s supposed to train against scoffs at him, telling Mando that Baby Yoda is too young.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2023
The chief’s comments during Tuesday’s meeting drew scoffs from activists and residents in attendance.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2023
For months, the consistent response was a shrug or a scoff.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2023
Eugene Linden, TIME, 21 Apr. 2024
The tournament variety is nothing to be scoffed at, either, with plenty of Knockout, Sit & Go, and Windfall tournaments with buy-ins ranging from just a few bucks up to the $500+ price tags on some of the bigger GTD tournaments.
—Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2024
Hamas scoffed at the Israeli account, saying its fighters were not present.
—Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2024
Locals who had scoffed at attendance projections were caught off guard when the crowds materialized, causing traffic gridlock and emptying grocery store shelves.
—Jenna Russell Greta Rybus, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
Renaissance’s numbers, while nothing to scoff at, were indicative of its circumstances — Beyoncé’s first solo studio album to receive a simultaneous wide release across all major streaming platforms.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2024
Staff at the local clinic scoff at the idea of someday providing IVF.
—Maahil Mohamed Elke Scholiers, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024
Average European wage earners would scoff at that notion.
—Neil Winton, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Liberals also scoff at the notion that the authors of the Bill of Rights could have envisioned modern assault rifles.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2024
Noun
Thankfully things didn't escalate beyond a scoff in this case, but what should a traveler do in a similar situation to handle a pushy fellow passenger civilly?
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024
In the past, when my friends and I were bold enough to ask that the television behind the bar be changed to a Wisconsin women's volleyball game, it was met by scoffs from a few Brewers fans who couldn't be bothered to turn their chairs to look at the two other TVs in the room.
—Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2024
As the ancient practice of yoga morphs to meet ever-shifting American tastes, Charlotte is embracing a new variation that might have drawn scoffs just a few years ago.
—Roland Wilkerson, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2024
That drew scoffs of laughter from the Democratic side of the aisle.
—Lisa Mascaro, Farnoush Amiri, Stephen Groves and Keving Freking The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2023
Drescher’s trek to Puglia in southern Italy also drew scoffs from the management side of Hollywood’s bargaining table.
—William Earl, Variety, 10 July 2023
The Foundling he’s supposed to train against scoffs at him, telling Mando that Baby Yoda is too young.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2023
The chief’s comments during Tuesday’s meeting drew scoffs from activists and residents in attendance.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2023
For months, the consistent response was a shrug or a scoff.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2023
Verb
When his book first came out, a British reviewer scoffed at the idea that a Californian could learn all the ancient languages necessary to pursue his research.
—Eugene Linden, TIME, 21 Apr. 2024
The tournament variety is nothing to be scoffed at, either, with plenty of Knockout, Sit & Go, and Windfall tournaments with buy-ins ranging from just a few bucks up to the $500+ price tags on some of the bigger GTD tournaments.
—Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2024
Hamas scoffed at the Israeli account, saying its fighters were not present.
—Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2024
Locals who had scoffed at attendance projections were caught off guard when the crowds materialized, causing traffic gridlock and emptying grocery store shelves.
—Jenna Russell Greta Rybus, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
Renaissance’s numbers, while nothing to scoff at, were indicative of its circumstances — Beyoncé’s first solo studio album to receive a simultaneous wide release across all major streaming platforms.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2024
Staff at the local clinic scoff at the idea of someday providing IVF.
—Maahil Mohamed Elke Scholiers, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024
Average European wage earners would scoff at that notion.
—Neil Winton, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Liberals also scoff at the notion that the authors of the Bill of Rights could have envisioned modern assault rifles.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scoff.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near scoff
Cite this Entry
“Scoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scoff. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scoff
1 of 3 noun
ˈskäf 
ˈskȯf
: an expression of scorn or mockery
scoff
3 of 3 verb1
: to eat greedily
scoffed dinner
2
: snatch entry 1 sense 2
scoffed up the free gifts
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