sneer
C1Formal, Literary, Journalistic
Definition
Meaning
To smile or speak with a contemptuous or mocking expression.
A facial expression or tone of voice showing contempt or scorn; to dismiss or belittle something with scorn.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a strong, often arrogant sense of superiority and contempt. The act is usually intentional and overt, not subtle.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The word is equally understood and used in both varieties.
Connotations
Universally negative, associated with arrogance, disdain, and social contempt.
Frequency
Moderately frequent in both, slightly more common in written, descriptive contexts than casual speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to sneer AT somebody/somethingto sneer (that) + clausewith a sneer + prepositional phraseVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sneer one's way to the top”
- “to be met with sneers (and jeers)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; would describe interpersonal conflict or arrogant dismissal of an idea. 'The veteran executive sneered at the new marketing proposal.'
Academic
Used in literary criticism or historical analysis to describe characters' attitudes or rhetorical scorn. 'The polemicist sneered at his opponent's philosophical naivety.'
Everyday
Describes rude, dismissive behaviour. 'Don't sneer at my taste in music!'
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He couldn't help but sneer at their feeble attempts to sound cultured.
- Critics often sneer at popular television programmes.
American English
- She sneered at the suggestion that she needed help.
- He just sneered and walked away, dismissing the entire argument.
adverb
British English
- 'As if you'd know,' he said sneer. (Note: 'sneeringly' is standard)
- He smiled sneer across the table.
American English
- She laughed sneer at his old-fashioned ideas. (Note: 'sneeringly' is the correct form)
- He replied sneer, not bothering to look up.
adjective
British English
- His sneer remark about her background was unforgivable. (Note: 'sneering' is far more common)
- She gave him a sneer look.
American English
- A sneer comment was scrawled in the margin of the report.
- He had a permanently sneer expression. (Note: 'sneering' is preferred)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He made a sneer face.
- Why are you sneering?
- She sneered at my old mobile phone.
- I saw the sneer on his lips when I told him the news.
- The politician sneered at his opponent's simplistic solution to the complex crisis.
- His novel was met with sneers from the literary establishment, who deemed it too commercial.
- Beneath the veneer of politeness lay a barely concealed sneer of intellectual superiority.
- She delivered her critique not with anger, but with a cold, withering sneer that was far more devastating.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a **SNEE**ze of **R**idicule. A sneer is like verbally 'sneezing' contempt on someone.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTEMPT IS A CURVED LIP (the physical sneer). DISMISSAL IS A PHYSICAL TURNING AWAY.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'снисходительно улыбаться' (to smile condescendingly), which is weaker. 'Sneer' is closer to 'презрительно усмехаться' or 'насмехаться'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a direct synonym for 'smile' (it's always negative). Incorrect preposition: 'sneer to' instead of 'sneer at'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST synonym for 'sneer' in the sentence: 'The aristocrat sneered at the merchant's humble origins.'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, a sneer is a conscious facial expression or tone meant to convey contempt. An unintentional look of distaste would not typically be called a sneer.
Yes, primarily. As a verb: 'to sneer at someone'. As a noun: 'He replied with a sneer'. Adjectival and adverbial uses (sneer, sneerly) are archaic or non-standard; 'sneering' and 'sneeringly' are used instead.
The characteristic curling or lifting of one side of the upper lip, often accompanied by a scornful look in the eyes.
A sneer is openly contemptuous and mocking. A smirk is a smug, self-satisfied, or knowing smile, which may be annoying but lacks the direct scorn of a sneer.