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Sneering Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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sneering

[ˈsnɪərɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

expression of contempt or ridicule

Sneering is a facial expression or tone of voice that shows scorn or mockery towards someone or something. It conveys a sense of superiority and disdain. People often sneer when they feel superior or want to belittle others.

Synonyms

contemptuous, derisive, mocking.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sneering

As previously mentioned, this word is used to describe a facial expression or tone of voice that shows disdain or scorn. It's often more about the expression than the words themselves.

  • He sneered when he saw the poor performance
  • She sneered at the notion of working overtime
mocking

Suitable for situations where someone imitates another in a hurtful or humorous way to make fun of them. It can be playful or mean-spirited.

  • She made a mocking imitation of his accent
  • His mocking tone was unmistakable
contemptuous

This word is suitable when describing a feeling or expression of deep scorn or disdain towards someone or something. It can be used in both formal and informal settings.

  • Her contemptuous glance was hard to miss
  • They talked in a contemptuous manner about the opposing team
derisive

This word describes a manner of expressing ridicule or scorn, often through laughter or mockery. It implies a lack of respect.

  • His derisive laughter cut through the room
  • The crowd was derisive, booing and jeering at the speaker

Examples of usage

  • He gave her a sneering look before turning away.
  • She made a sneering remark about his appearance.
  • The politician's sneering tone did not go unnoticed by the audience.
Context #2 | Adjective

showing a lack of respect or seriousness

Sneering can also refer to a behavior or attitude that demonstrates disrespect or lack of seriousness. It is often characterized by a dismissive or sarcastic attitude towards something important or meaningful.

Synonyms

disrespectful, flippant, sarcastic.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sneering

Use 'sneering' to describe someone who is showing contempt or disdain in a nasty, mocking way. This word often implies a sense of superiority.

  • She gave him a sneering look when he tried to explain his mistake.
  • His sneering remarks about her appearance were both hurtful and uncalled for.
disrespectful

Use 'disrespectful' to describe behavior or comments that show a lack of respect or courtesy towards someone. This can apply in various formal or informal settings.

  • The student was disrespectful to the teacher by talking back during the lecture.
  • It's disrespectful to interrupt someone when they are speaking.
sarcastic

Use 'sarcastic' to describe comments that are meant to mock or convey irony, often in a sharp or cutting manner. Sarcasm can be humorous but is often intended to hurt or criticize.

  • He made a sarcastic remark about her cooking skills, which she didn't appreciate.
  • Her sarcastic tone made it clear she didn't believe his excuses.
flippant

Use 'flippant' to describe remarks or attitudes that show a lack of proper seriousness. This word has a negative connotation and suggests a dismissive or trivializing tone.

  • His flippant response to the serious question annoyed everyone in the room.
  • Her flippant attitude towards the project deadline was frustrating for her team members.

Examples of usage

  • His sneering attitude towards the project was unprofessional.
  • The sneering comments from the audience were uncalled for.
  • Stop sneering and start taking this seriously.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Expressions like sneering can affect social dynamics, indicating superiority and often pushing others away.
  • Research shows that a sneer can trigger negative emotional responses in observers, reinforcing social hierarchies.
  • People may use sneers instinctively as a defense mechanism when feeling threatened or insecure.

Pop Culture

  • In movies, sneering characters often represent villains or antagonists, enhancing their unlikable traits.
  • Social media has popularized the 'sneering' emoji to express sarcasm or disdain in a humorous way.
  • Popular musicians and artists sometimes adopt sneering expressions in their album covers to project rebellion or non-conformity.

Literature

  • Classic literature frequently features sneering characters, highlighting themes of social class and morality.
  • Authors like Jane Austen used the sneer to illustrate the flaws of aristocracy and social pretenses.
  • In contemporary writing, a sneer can symbolize internal conflict and hostility in relationships.

Body Language

  • A sneer is often accompanied by a lip curl, signaling derision or contempt without the need for words.
  • Interpreting sneering can vary across cultures, sometimes being seen as humor or playful teasing in certain contexts.
  • Experts in non-verbal communication suggest that sneering may reveal deeper issues related to self-esteem or insecurity.

Origin of 'sneering'

Main points about word origin

  • The term has roots in Middle English, deriving from the word 'snerian,' meaning to smile mockingly.
  • It has evolved from Old Norse 'snyr,' which means to twist or distort, reflecting the twisted nature of the expression.
  • Sneering has been used in English literature since the 14th century to convey disdain.

The word 'sneering' originated from the Middle English word 'sneren', which meant to sneer or jeer. It has been used in English literature since the 14th century to describe a mocking or disdainful expression. Over the centuries, 'sneering' has evolved to encompass not just facial expressions but also attitudes and behaviors that convey contempt or ridicule.

See also: sneer.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,656, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.