snub

1 of 3

verb

ˈsnəb 

snubbed; snubbing

transitive verb

1

: to check or stop with a cutting retort : rebuke

2

a

: to check (something, such as a line or chain that is running out) suddenly especially by turning around a fixed object (such as a post or a cleat)

also : to check the motion of by snubbing a line

snub the anchor

b

: to restrain the action of : suppress

snub a vibration

3

: to treat with contempt or neglect

snub an old acquaintance

4

: to extinguish by stubbing

snub out a cigarette

snub

2 of 3

noun

: an act or an instance of snubbing

especially : slight

snub

3 of 3

adjective

1

or snubbed

ˈsnəbd 

: blunt, stubby

a snub nose

2

: used in snubbing

snub line

snubness noun

Synonyms

Verb

• cold-shoulder
• cut
• high-hat
• slight
• stiff
• stiff-arm

Noun

• brush-off
• cold shoulder
• rebuff
• repulse
• silent treatment

Examples of snub in a Sentence

Verb

She snubbed me in the hallway.

He snubbed their job offer.

They deliberately snubbed the meeting.

Noun

he tolerated the snubs from his in-laws because the holidays come but once a year, thankfully

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In one of the best performances of Sissy Spacek’s career (and shame on all the awards-giving bodies who snubbed it), the Oscar winner plays a woman teetering on the edge of sanity, unsure not just of what is happening but when. —Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024

About lives of three women in Mumbai dealing with work and love and encroaching gentrification, the film, perhaps because of its portrayal of a growing wealth gap in India, was snubbed by India as its Oscar submission. —Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 25 Oct. 2024

Noun

Prominent snubs included such amazing structures at Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Stonehenge, and the Moai statues of Easter Island. —Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024

Despite Babb’s rotten luck, as Cerf put it, the editor’s snub wasn’t the defining element of her life and career. —Mark Athitakis, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English snibben, snubben, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse snubba to scold, Swedish dialect snubba to reproach, cut off

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1724, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing snub

• snub-nosed

Kids Definition

snub

1 of 3 verb

ˈsnəb 

snubbed; snubbing

1

: to check or stop with a reply that hurts : rebuke

2

a

: to check (as a line) suddenly while running out especially by turning around a fixed object (as a post)

b

: to check the motion of by snubbing a line

3

: to deliberately ignore or treat rudely

4

: to put out by crushing

snubber noun

snub

2 of 3 noun

: an act or an instance of snubbing

especially : rebuff entry 2

snub

3 of 3 adjective

variants or snubbed

ˈsnəbd 

: stubby, blunt