Definition of Sneer

1. Noun. A facial expression of contempt or scorn; the upper lip curls.

Exact synonyms: Leer
Generic synonyms: Contempt, Scorn
Derivative terms: Leer, Leery

2. Verb. Express through a scornful smile. "She sneered her contempt"
Generic synonyms: Evince, Express, Show
Derivative terms: Sneerer

3. Noun. A contemptuous or scornful remark.
Generic synonyms: Contempt, Scorn

4. Verb. Smile contemptuously. "She sneered at her little sister's efforts to play the song on the piano"
Generic synonyms: Smile
Derivative terms: Sneerer

Definition of Sneer

1. v. i. To show contempt by turning up the nose, or by a particular facial expression.

2. v. t. To utter with a grimace or contemptuous expression; to utter with a sneer; to say sneeringly; as, to sneer fulsome lies at a person.

3. n. The act of sneering.

Definition of Sneer

1. Verb. To raise a corner of the upper lip slightly, ''especially'' in scorn ¹

2. Noun. A facial expression where one slightly raises one corner of the upper lip, ''generally'' indicating scorn. ¹

3. Noun. A display of contempt; scorn ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Sneer

1. to curl the lip in contempt [v -ED, -ING, -S]

Medical Definition of Sneer

1. 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. 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. Synonym: To scoff, gibe, jeer. Origin: OE. Sneren, Dan. Snrre to snarl or grin (like a dog); cf. Prov. E. Sneer to grin, sner to snort, snert to sneer at. See Snore. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Sneer

sneckdraw
sneckdraws
snecked
snecket
sneckets
snecking
snecks
sned
snedded
snedding
sneddon syndrome
sneds
snee
sneed
sneeing
sneer (current term)
sneered
sneerer
sneerers
sneerful
sneerier
sneeriest
sneerily
sneeriness
sneering
sneeringly
sneerings
sneers
sneery
snees

Literary usage of Sneer

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The British Drama: A Collection of the Most Esteemed Tragedies, Comedies (1854)
"Plague on't, now we must appear loving and affectionate, or sneer will hitch us into a story. ... sneer. —Ha 1 my dear sneer, I am vastly glad to see you. ..."

2. Library of the World's Best Literature: Ancient and Modern by Edward Cornelius Towne (1897)
"sneer — I believe you have reason for what you say, indeed. ... sneer—But your present work is a sacrifice to Melpomene; and he, you know, ..."

3. Representative English Dramas from Dryden to Sheridan by Frederick Tupper, James Waddell Tupper (1914)
"Lady sneer. For our mutual interest; but I have found out him a long time since, ... Lady sneer. I conceive you mean with respect to my neighbor, ..."

4. Representative English Plays: From the Middle Ages to the End of the by John Strong Perry Tatlock, Robert Grant Martin (1916)
"Lady sneer. For our mutual interest ; but 1 bave found out him a long time since, ... Lady sneer. True, and with the assistance of his sentiments and ..."

5. The Confessions of Jean Jacques Rousseau by Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1901)
"... because anciently they called the diesis a feint; and when he made the foil fly from my hand, he would add with a sneer that this was a pause. ..."

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