Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Sneer
Sneer
,Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Sneered
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Sneering
.] [OE. ]
sneren
, Dan. sn[GREEK]rre
to snarl or grin (like a dog); cf. Prov. E. sneer
to grin, sner
to snort, snert
to sneer at. See Snore
, Verb.
I.
1.
To show contempt by turning up the nose, or by a particular facial expression.
2.
To inssinuate contempt by a covert expression; to speak derisively.
I could be content to be a little
sneared
at. Pope.
3.
To show mirth awkwardly.
[R.]
Tatler.
Syn. – To scoff; gibe; jeer.
– Sneer
, Scoff
, Jeer
. The verb to sneer implies to cast contempt indirectly or by covert expressions. To jeer is stronger, and denotes the use of several sarcastic reflections. To scoff is stronger still, implying the use of insolent mockery and derision. And
Like females o’er their morning tea.
sneers
as learnedly as they,Like females o’er their morning tea.
Swift.
Midas, exposed to all their
Had lost his art, and kept his ears.
jeers
,Had lost his art, and kept his ears.
Swift.
The fop, with learning at defiance,
Scoffs
at the pedant and science. Gay.
Sneer
,Verb.
T.
1.
To utter with a grimace or contemptuous expression; to utter with a sneer; to say sneeringly;
as, to
. sneer
fulsome lies at a personCongreve.
“A ship of fools,” he
sneered
. Tennyson.
2.
To treat with sneers; to affect or move by sneers.
Nor
sneered
nor bribed from virtue into shame. Savage.
Sneer
,Noun.
1.
The act of sneering.
2.
A smile, grin, or contortion of the face, indicative of contempt; an indirect expression or insinuation of contempt.
“Who can refute a sneer?” Raley.
Webster 1828 Edition
Sneer
SNEER
,Verb.
I.
1.
To show contempt by turning up the nose, or by a particular cast or countenance; 'naso suspendere adunco.'2.
To insinuate contempt by covert expression. I could be content to be a little sneered at.3.
To utter with grimace.4.
To show mirth awkwardly.SNEER
, n.1.
A look of contempt, or a turning up of the nose to manifest contempt; a look of disdain, derision or ridicule.2.
An expression of ludicrous scorn.Definition 2024
sneer
sneer
English
A sneer (on the face of the person at the right).
Verb
sneer (third-person singular simple present sneers, present participle sneering, simple past and past participle sneered)
- (intransitive) To raise a corner of the upper lip slightly, especially in scorn
- (transitive) To utter with a grimace or contemptuous expression; to say sneeringly.
- to sneer fulsome lies at a person
Translations
raise a corner of the upper lip slightly in scorn
Noun
sneer (plural sneers)
- A facial expression where one slightly raises one corner of the upper lip, generally indicating scorn.
- A display of contempt; scorn.
- 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 8, in The China Governess:
- It was a casual sneer, obviously one of a long line. There was hatred behind it, but of a quiet, chronic type, nothing new or unduly virulent, and he was taken aback by the flicker of amazed incredulity that passed over the younger man's ravaged face.
-
Translations
facial expression that indicates scorn