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Synonyms for sneering

Grammar : Adj, noun
Spell : sneer
Phonetic Transcription : snɪər

Définition of sneering

Origin :
  • 1550s, "to snort" (of horses), perhaps from North Frisian sneere "to scorn," related to Old English fnæran "to snort, gnash one's teeth," of imitative origin (cf. Danish snærre "to grin like a dog," Middle Dutch, Middle High German snarren "to rattle"). Meaning "to smile contemptuously" is from 1670s; sense of "to curl the upper lip in scorn" is attested from 1775. Related: Sneered; sneering. Sneer word is in E. Digby Baltzell (1987).
  • adj scoffing
  • noun derision
Example sentences :
  • The detective indulged himself in a cackle of sneering merriment.
  • Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana
  • Duvillard at last murmured, sneering, but in despair, "we'll arrange it all."
  • Extract from : « The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete » by Emile Zola
  • Daguenet scrutinized her slyly, sneering in his chaffing way.
  • Extract from : « Nana, The Miller's Daughter, Captain Burle, Death of Olivier Becaille » by Emile Zola
  • Old Wilson was waving a paper over his head and laughing and sneering.
  • Extract from : « The Shadow of a Crime » by Hall Caine
  • His grandfather was sneering at him once more; he was always sneering at him.
  • Extract from : « The Portygee » by Joseph Crosby Lincoln
  • "It is true," he answered her, and there was a heavy, sneering curl on his upper lip.
  • Extract from : « The Snare » by Rafael Sabatini
  • Some fell to patronizing him, some to advising him, and some to sneering at the hubbub he was making.
  • Extract from : « Capt'n Davy's Honeymoon » by Hall Caine
  • "It seems you love that—whelp, that thing that was my brother," he said, sneering.
  • Extract from : « The Sea-Hawk » by Raphael Sabatini
  • "I reckon you calculate about right, for you can't," was the sneering reply.
  • Extract from : « The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun; » by Various
  • Had Feversham observed this he might have been less ready with his sneering answer.
  • Extract from : « Mistress Wilding » by Rafael Sabatini

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019