Syn. -- To scoff; gibe; jeer. -- Sneer, Scoff, Jeer. The verb to sneer
implies to cast contempt indirectly or by covert expressions. To jeer
is stronger, and denotes the use of several sarcastic reflections. To
scoff is stronger still, implying the use of insolent mockery and
derision.
And sneers as learnedly as they, Like females o'er their morning
tea.
Swift.
Midas, exposed to all their jeers, Had lost his art, and kept his
ears.
Swift.
The fop, with learning at defiance, Scoffs at the pedant and
science.
Gay.
Sneer, v. t. 1. To utter with a grimace or contemptuous expression; to
utter with a sneer; to say sneeringly; as, to sneer fulsome lies at a
person. Congreve.
"A ship of fools," he sneered.
Tennyson.