# sneer

/ˈsnɪɹ/ (US) · /snˈiə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sneer
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. a facial expression

noun · CEFR B2

a look on your face that shows you think someone is stupid or not important.

For teachers: a facial expression characterized by a slight raising of one corner of the upper lip, conveying contempt or derision.

- He looked at my old car with a sneer on his face.
- The critic watched the performance with a visible sneer, clearly unimpressed by the amateurish acting and poor lighting.

### 2. a scornful remark

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a comment or sound that shows you look down on someone.

For teachers: a contemptuous or mocking remark or tone of voice.

- She ignored the sneers of her classmates and kept working on her art.
- Despite the sneers from the established scientific community, the young researcher continued to pursue her unconventional theory.

### 3. to show contempt

verb · CEFR B2

to show that you have no respect for someone by the way you look or speak.

For teachers: to show contempt by means of a facial expression or a derisive remark.

- It is not polite to sneer at other people's ideas.
- The wealthy businessman sneered at the suggestion that he should donate a portion of his profits to the local library.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'at'.

## Examples

- He gave her a sneer when she asked for help.
- The politician's sneer during the debate suggested he did not take his opponent's arguments seriously at all.
- Her response was delivered with a cold sneer that managed to silence the entire room, leaving no doubt about her total dismissal of the proposal.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.