snorted

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "snorted" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to express a skeptical, dismissive, or scornful attitude. For example, "The crowd of onlookers snorted in disbelief when the politician announced his stance on the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I haven't snorted them for years!" The Wright Stuff hasn't always been based in London.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Naseeb Ellahi, who was driving the Honda car, had snorted cocaine before he set off to drive that night.

The Guardian

DPIC's report highlights the string of botched executions that occurred through the year, starting in January with that of Dennis McGuire who gasped and snorted for 15 minutes in front of his horrified children.

The Guardian

While cocaine and ecstasy - the latter sometimes powdered and snorted but usually taken as a pill - are class A drugs, amphetamines are class B, attracting lower penalties.

The Guardian

At that point the game's real masters, the big clubs, swarmed angrily on to the field: "We take the risks, we sign the contracts, not FIFA," snorted the German champions, Bayern Munich, whose boss, Franz Beckenbauer, was in his day a legendary player himself.

The Economist

War heroes would be a more deserving cause than the gypsies, gays, foreigners and fraudsters favoured by the fund, it snorted.

The Economist

Whereas Mrs Beckett would have fumed and snorted during the select-committee rebellion, Mr Cook put himself smartly on the backbenchers' side.

The Economist

Mr Netanyahu himself has always snorted at suggestions that he was cowed or inhibited by his father's ideological severity.In this section Ever-resilient but maybe more malleable Same old sneers Go to the country?

The Economist

As cameras rolled in the cell block, inmates openly shot up heroin, smoked crack, snorted cocaine, swallowed pills, gambled with dice, guzzled beer and even brandished a loaded handgun.

The Economist

"This is not a beauty contest," he snorted.

The Economist

She even heard the voice of God, and made a note of having "settled the question" with Him; the question being her future in nursing.Flaubert would have snorted, and yet the place worked on him too.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "snorted" to succinctly convey a character's disbelief, contempt, or amusement in dialogue or narrative. It adds a layer of personality and emotion to the writing.

Common error

Avoid overuse, which can make characters seem consistently cynical or one-dimensional. Use sparingly to maximize impact; vary with other verbs like "scoffed", "scowled", or "laughed derisively" to show a wider range of reactions.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "snorted" is as a verb in the past tense. It describes the act of expelling air forcefully through the nose, often to express derision, contempt, or amusement. Ludwig provides examples that highlight its use in conveying such emotions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "snorted" functions as a verb, typically in the past tense, to express a range of emotions from disbelief to scorn. As indicated by Ludwig and its analysis, it's grammatically correct and frequently used, primarily in news and media contexts. When using "snorted", be mindful of overuse to maintain its impact, and consider alternatives like "scoffed" or "sneered" for variety. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, making it a reliable choice for conveying specific emotional tones in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scoffed

Expresses disbelief or scorn through words or actions, similar to "snorted" in conveying disapproval.

sneered

Suggests a contemptuous or mocking attitude, sharing the negative connotation of "snorted".

derided

Implies ridicule or mockery, akin to how "snorted" can indicate dismissal.

expressed disbelief

A more explicit way of stating the reaction conveyed by "snorted".

showed contempt

Directly indicates the feeling behind the action, similar to "snorted" when used to show disdain.

expressed scorn

Like "snorted", suggests a feeling of contempt or disdain.

laughed derisively

Captures the act of mocking laughter, akin to "snorted" when conveying ridicule.

made a snorting sound

Focuses on the physical action and sound, whereas "snorted" implies more.

breathed in sharply

A literal description of the sound made, lacking the implied emotion of "snorted".

inhaled audibly

A neutral description of the sound, missing the scornful tone of "snorted".

FAQs

How can I use "snorted" in a sentence to show disbelief?

You can use "snorted" to show disbelief by describing a character making a snorting sound to express skepticism or ridicule. For example, "He "snorted" at the suggestion, clearly unimpressed."

What's a more formal alternative to "snorted"?

More formal alternatives include phrases like "expressed disbelief", "showed contempt", or "scoffed", which are less colloquial and more suitable for formal writing.

Is it grammatically correct to use "snorted" in past tense?

Yes, "snorted" is the past tense and past participle of the verb "snort", making it grammatically correct for describing actions that occurred in the past. Ludwig AI validates that it is the past tense.

How does "snorted" differ from "laughed" in conveying emotion?

"Snorted" often conveys scorn or disbelief, while "laughed" typically indicates amusement or joy. While laughter can be derisive, "snorted" almost always implies a negative or dismissive reaction.