snub

1 of 3

verb

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 : blunt, stubby
a snub nose
2
: used in snubbing
snub line
snubness noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Finding football players Some players with rare football instincts get snubbed for lacking a singular positional niche. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025 Additionally, a Trump aide told the outlet that the president had avoided traveling to Dover at all for nearly two years straight after he was snubbed by a military parent. Meredith Kile, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
Many people have perceived his walking off set and the Instagram story as a deliberate snub. John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025 After the film’s snub originally sparked backlash in Hollywood, and was even unofficially re-voted as Best Picture in 2015, Lee blamed the loss on the Academy’s homophobia last year. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for snub

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of snub was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Snub.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snub. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

snub

1 of 3 verb
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

More from Merriam-Webster on snub

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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