SNEERING • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Sneering

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/snˈɪrɪŋ/ Listen

verb

Sneer v. t.

1.

To utter with a grimace or contemptuous expression; to utter with a sneer; to say sneeringly; as, to sneer fulsome lies at a person. ""A ship of fools," he sneered."

2.

To treat with sneers; to affect or move by sneers. "Nor sneered nor bribed from virtue into shame."

Sneer v. i. (past & past part. sneered; pres. part. sneering)

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."

3.

To show mirth awkwardly. (R.)

Synonyms: To scoff; gibe; jeer. Sneer, Scoff, Jeer. 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. "And sneers as learnedly as they, Like females o'er their morning tea." "Midas, exposed to all their jeers, Had lost his art, and kept his ears." "The fop, with learning at defiance, Scoffs at the pedant and science."

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Etymology of 'Sneering'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Sneering" Quotes from Famous Books

... up that old paper long ago. It warn't no good to me," said Pepper. "I wouldn't take the farm at that price for a gift," and he departed with a sneering ...

— Hiram The Young Farmer • Burbank L. Todd

... inclined towards Weir. The refusal on the latter's part to reemploy the Mexican workmen on their own terms was purely a matter of policy, and the lawyer's first gusty anger had long been forgotten. But not so Sorenson's sneering words of that afternoon. They struck to the heart of his vanity, breeding an animosity that would last. Had not the banker stated that the lawyer should hold no political office whatever? After all his services? Had he not definitely shown ...

— In the Shadow of the Hills • George C. Shedd

... schoolmaster, Mr. Brice?" queried Milo, who seemed unable to avoid sneering in futile fashion at the man who was ...

— Black Caesar's Clan • Albert Payson Terhune

... "the Duke," over his shoulder, and then he turned on Presson. "That bunch of mangy pups out there for me? Why, Luke, that's opposition. And it's nasty, sneering, insulting opposition. I ought to go out there and ...

— The Ramrodders - A Novel • Holman Day

... o'clock that evening, the meeting-house was filling with terrified women, and half-curious, half-sneering, men; and among them the tall figure of Major Campbell, in his undress uniform (which he had put on, wisely, to give a certain dignity to his mission), stalked in, and took his seat in ...

— Two Years Ago, Volume II. • Charles Kingsley

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