as in laughing
to express scornful amusement by means of facial contortions
they brushed off his sneer and went about their business
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sneering
Woody Allen was a famous Luddite during his decades-long reign in Hollywood, sneering at modern technology at every opportunity (even refusing digital prints for his movies).
—
Matt Donnelly, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026
Where is the patriotism in sneering at America’s great achievements?
—Emilie G.c. Thompson, STAT, 15 Jan. 2026
Even the epithets for the Kansas City Chiefs are built on divisional rivalry and that team’s long track record of success, not sneering dismissiveness.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 30 Nov. 2025
Pluribus, despite its own existence as a piece of populist fiction, depicts all the readers of Carol’s Wycaro books from the perspective of her sneering disdain.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025
Democrats gathered for a conference hosted by progressives were sneering at Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, who was not present, for shutting down popular new faces based on disagreements over specific issues.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025
But the game has a way of sneering at coronations.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Unlike The Beatles, Oasis arrived in the US with trademark sneering entitlement.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
Matt Donnelly, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026
Where is the patriotism in sneering at America’s great achievements?
—Emilie G.c. Thompson, STAT, 15 Jan. 2026
Even the epithets for the Kansas City Chiefs are built on divisional rivalry and that team’s long track record of success, not sneering dismissiveness.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 30 Nov. 2025
Pluribus, despite its own existence as a piece of populist fiction, depicts all the readers of Carol’s Wycaro books from the perspective of her sneering disdain.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025
Democrats gathered for a conference hosted by progressives were sneering at Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, who was not present, for shutting down popular new faces based on disagreements over specific issues.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025
But the game has a way of sneering at coronations.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Unlike The Beatles, Oasis arrived in the US with trademark sneering entitlement.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sneering
Verb
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Even in ordinary moments—sharing tea, splitting food, laughing in the snow, dancing at weddings—Minnesota feels alive.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
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Buck became accustomed to the smells of booze and smoke, of falling asleep to the sound of adults laughing.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Carlile put her emphatic phrasing into the patriotic hymn, elongating notes and smiling at herself after a slight vocal squeak at the end.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
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Jones hasn't made any political statements, but was happy to film herself smiling with then-VP Kamala Harris during the Biden administration.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sneering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sneering. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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