Sneer

v. i. [imp. & p. p. SNEERED; p. pr. & vb. n. SNEERING.] [Cf. Prov. Eng. sneer, to grin, sner, to snort, snert, to sneer at, snort, to laugh loudly.]

1Sense 1. To show contempt by turning up the nose, or by a particular cast of countenance.

2Sense 2. To insinuate contempt by a covert expression.

I could be content to be a little sneered at. Pope.

3Sense 3. To show mirth awkwardly. [Rare.] Tatler.

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 severe 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 the science. Gay.