Synonyms of sneer

sneer 1 of 2

verb

ˈsnir 

as in to laugh

to express scornful amusement by means of facial contortions

She sneered at me in disgust.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• laugh
• smile
• snicker
• snigger
• snort
• sniff
• jeer
• insult
• ridicule
• disdain
• deride
• jibe
• despise
• scorn
• mock
• decry
• gibe
• taunt
• hoot
• disparage
• scoff (at)
• belittle
• tease
• catcall
• pooh
• torment
• heckle
• pooh-pooh
• bad-mouth
• jive
• rib
• ride
• razz
• put down

sneer

2 of 2

noun

as in smirk

Synonyms & Similar Words

• smirk
• snicker
• snigger
• jeer
• hiss
• snort
• jibe
• boo
• taunt
• raspberry
• razz
• gibe
• Bronx cheer
• bird
• catcall
• whistle
• hoot
• put-down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cheer
• applause
• clapping

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sneer distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of sneer are fleer, flout, gibe, jeer, and scoff. While all these words mean "to show one's contempt in derision or mockery," sneer stresses insulting by contemptuous facial expression, phrasing, or tone of voice.

sneered at anything romantic

When is it sensible to use fleer instead of sneer?

The meanings of fleer and sneer largely overlap; however, fleer suggests grinning or grimacing derisively.

the saucy jackanapes fleered at my credulity

When might flout be a better fit than sneer?

While the synonyms flout and sneer are close in meaning, flout stresses contempt shown by refusal to heed.

flouted the conventions of polite society

Where would gibe be a reasonable alternative to sneer?

The words gibe and sneer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, gibe implies taunting either good-naturedly or in sarcastic derision.

hooted and gibed at the umpire

When could jeer be used to replace sneer?

The words jeer and sneer can be used in similar contexts, but jeer suggests a coarser more undiscriminating derision.

the crowd jeered at the prisoners

In what contexts can scoff take the place of sneer?

While in some cases nearly identical to sneer, scoff stresses insolence, disrespect, or incredulity as motivating the derision.

scoffed at their concerns

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sneer

Verb

President Donald Trump loves being a disruptor, but his wrecking ball is mostly misdirected: tariff wars with Canada and Mexico, withdrawing from the World Health Organization, sneers at allies and cancelling USAID—these and similar actions are bad for Americans and terrible for the world. —David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025

Stone sails through all this, seeing off the sneering disapproval of white America and the presumptuous demands of the Black Panthers with equal disdain, and for a time his band, the aptly named Sly and the Family Stone, become a republic within the republic. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2025

Noun

And in between those two towering achievements, Dylan assumes the mantle of rock stardom, delivering surrealist lyrics with an iconic sneer. —Al Shipley, SPIN, 25 Dec. 2024

Whatever happened to common courtesies in lieu of belittlements, sneers or vilification? —Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 3 Nov. 2024