SNEER Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

sneer 1 of 2

verb

ˈsnir

Definition of sneer

as in to laugh

to express scornful amusement by means of facial contortions She sneered at me in disgust.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

sneer

2 of 2

noun

as in smirk

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

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.

Recent Examples of sneer

Verb

But the Velvets were sneering at the false dichotomy between those things back in the ’60s. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 Four points of extra rent growth is real money, and no operator would sneer at it. — Tony Julianelle, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Noun

While some celebrants have greeted these caricatures with cathartic jeers and sneers, others are shocked and outraged. — Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 1 Apr. 2026 Claflin’s got the right kind of handsome face for it, all angles and sneers. — Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sneer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sneer

Verb

Zion, 11, is smart and creative and enjoys having fun and making others laugh.

— The Star, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
Foreman can often be seen making audiences laugh at Comedy In Harlem, which held a comedy show for Breast Cancer Awareness in October where 10% of the proceeds go toward breast cancer research and awareness.

— Noelle Lilley, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of laugh

Noun

The pair barely crack more than a perfunctory smirk, in stark contrast to the uproarious laughter emanating from Fielder’s laptop screen.

— Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
My mom’s siblings usually arrived in a sour mood without greeting anyone at the table, my aunt’s brow furrowed and my uncle wearing a sneaky smirk.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of smirk

Verb

In the videos and photos little Noel could be seen dancing, smiling, jumping on a trampoline and goofing around inside a laundry hamper.

— Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2026
In April, Jen danced toward the chemotherapy ward bell, smiling broadly, fists raised in triumph.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of smile

Noun

But there’s another 45 supremely indulgent auteur gunk that is snicker-worthy.

— Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
As executed, the 2019 show is an emotional yet refreshingly unsentimental black comedy that snickers in the face of empowerment buzzwords like, well, healing journey.

— Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of snicker

Noun

Each time an audience member so much as sniggers or sneezes, money is docked from a prize pot of £250,000 ($330,000), the slightest noise costing them up to £10,000 ($13,000) each time.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 2 May 2025
The tribal leader sniggers; a trade with foreign infidels is inconceivable.

— Bing West, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2011

Definition of snigger

Noun

In the Premier League, leader Manchester City ignored jeers from Liverpool fans to seal a 3-0 statement win in its first game since the club was found guilty of a raft of financial breaches.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
Cheers, jeers, and energetic call-and-response exchanges echoed through the hall as the audience, dressed in bright green, pink, and red, some wearing candidate T-shirts, listened.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of jeer

Browse Nearby Words

sneaky

sneer

sneer (at)

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Sneer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sneer. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of sneer

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes