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sneerto smile or speak in a scornful or mocking way

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to smile or speak in a scornful or mocking way

Pronunciation (IPA): /snɪr/

Example Sentences

  • The villain sneered as the hero fell into his trap.
  • My cat seems to sneer at the cheap cat food I bought.
  • Don't sneer at beginners - we were all there once.

sneer

VERB

[/snɪr/]

to smile or speak in a scornful or mocking way

She gave a cold sneer when he showed off his cheap fake watch.
💡 Concept

She gave a cold sneer when he showed off his cheap fake watch.

S-near nose makes a sneering pose!
🧠 Mnemonic

S-near nose makes a sneering pose!

He sneers with his beer at those who live in fear
🎵 Rhyme

He sneers with his beer at those who live in fear

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/snɪr/
🇬🇧 UK/snɪə(r)/

🌳Etymology

Rootsneer

Origin

From Middle Dutch 'sneren' meaning to turn or twist. The word evolved through Low German and Dutch influences, originally describing a twisted facial expression that evolved into its current meaning of contemptuous mockery.

Breakdown

sneer (root word, from Middle Dutch 'sneren' meaning to turn/twist) = a sneering expression or contemptuous remark

🎵Rhyme

beerdearfeargearhear
beer
dear
fear
gear
hear

🔗Collocations

sneer at someone
contemptuous sneer
sneer coldly
sneer with disdain
wipe the sneer off
cruel sneer

📝Examples

The villain sneered as the hero fell into his trap.

😄 Fun example

My cat seems to sneer at the cheap cat food I bought.

Don't sneer at beginners - we were all there once.

😄 Fun example

She sneered at my playlist and called it 'ancient music'.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

scoffmockridiculejeersmirk

Antonyms

praisecomplimentadmire

Related

contemptdisdainsarcasmmockery

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