sneer

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'sneer' is correct and usable in written English.
To use it, you can say that someone has a "sneer on their face", which means that they are making a scornful and mocking expression. Example sentence: She glanced at him with a sneer on her face.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Try that metropolitan sneer on mothers who are themselves often wearing pink, alongside small daughters pink-clad from top to toe on pink scooters.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's easy to sneer at the massed ranks of enthused new members that flocked to Glasgow's SECC for the conference as zealots and zoomers and - lo! - some folk did.

The Guardian

Our prime minister feels free to sneer at women in parliament, and the Catholic church is poking its nose into schools, the far right is on the up, and cheap women are still a joke.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If anything, her blog is a colourful rebuke to the commenters who sneer that people on benefits should just make a cheap lentil stew to last them all week: "I do use lentils in my cooking – I make polenta bolognaise, I make burgers out of them – but I do get infuriated by people who say, 'Oh, just eat lentils.' Actually if you were to buy a bag of dried lentils it would cost you a couple of quid.

The Guardian

And while it may be easy to sneer, the Who remain a surprisingly compelling live spectacle.

The Guardian

Most politicians today defend multiculturalism and sneer at Ukip policies, while assiduously fostering fears about immigration.

The Guardian - Opinion

Friends would sneer at his name on the housework rota; frown at the missing bannisters and lentil stews.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And while metropolitan hipsters sneer at dweebs, rednecks and "bros" donning UV facepaint and throwing shapes at commercial festivals, Moore is overjoyed to witness their thrill of discovery.

The Guardian - Music

Michelle and Barack are perhaps human enough to understand this – and may even secretly enjoy the fact that their children feel able to sneer.

The Guardian - Opinion

A rising generation of younger, often English-speaking, African leaders increasingly sneer at a French policy invariably based on cosiness with corrupt and sometimes brutal dictators.

The Economist

They sneer that the Free Democrats have made such idle threats before and, besides, are barely able to muster the minimum 5% of the vote needed to keep themselves in parliament.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sneer", ensure the context clearly indicates scorn or contempt to avoid misinterpretation. Consider the impact of such a negative term on your audience and choose alternatives if a less abrasive tone is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "sneer" when a more neutral term like "criticize" or "question" would be more appropriate. "Sneer" carries a strong negative connotation and should be reserved for situations where contempt is explicitly intended.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sneer" is as a verb to describe the act of expressing contempt or scorn. It can also function as a noun to denote the facial expression or attitude associated with contempt. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sneer" is a versatile word that can function as both a verb and a noun, primarily used to express contempt or scorn. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While "sneer" is a very common term, it's crucial to consider its strong negative connotation and opt for alternatives like "scoff at" or "deride" when a less abrasive tone is desired. By understanding the contexts, implications, and available alternatives, writers can effectively and appropriately use "sneer" to convey their intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scoff at

Focuses on mocking or ridiculing something openly.

deride

Emphasizes expressing contemptuous feelings.

mock

Highlights imitation, often to ridicule.

scorn

Implies a strong feeling of disdain or contempt.

disdain

Suggests a feeling of superiority and contempt.

look down on

Conveys a sense of superiority over someone or something.

belittle

Focuses on making something seem unimportant or insignificant.

disparage

Emphasizes representing something as being of little worth.

ridicule

Highlights the act of making someone or something the object of laughter.

contemn

Expresses a feeling of looking down on someone or something.

FAQs

How to use "sneer" in a sentence?

You can use "sneer" as a verb to describe the action of expressing contempt, as in "He would "sneer" at their attempts to help". Alternatively, use it as a noun to refer to an expression of scorn: "A "sneer" crossed his face".

What can I say instead of "sneer"?

You can use alternatives like "scoff at", "deride", or "mock" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "sneer at" or "sneer on"?

"Sneer at" is the correct and commonly used expression. "Sneer on" is not standard usage.

What's the difference between "sneer" and "smile"?

"Sneer" expresses contempt or scorn, often involving a slight raising of one corner of the upper lip. In contrast, "smile" expresses happiness, pleasure, or amusement, typically involving an upturning of the corners of the mouth.