DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan
Sneer v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sneered p. pr. & vb. n. 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. --Pope.
3. To show mirth awkwardly. [R.]
Syn: -- To scoff; gibe; jeer.
Usage: 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. --Swift.
Midas, exposed to all their jeers,
Had lost his art, and kept his ears. --Swift.
The fop, with learning at defiance,
Scoffs at the pedant and science. --Gay.
sneering
adj : expressive of contempt; "curled his lip in a supercilious
smile"; "spoke in a sneering jeering manner"; "makes
many a sharp comparison but never a mean or snide one"
[syn: supercilious, snide]