— sneerer , n. — sneerful , adj. — sneeringly , adv. — sneerless , adj.
/snear/ , v.i.
1. to smile, laugh, or contort the face in a manner that shows scorn or contempt: They sneered at his pretensions.
2. to speak or write in a manner expressive of derision or scorn.
v.t.
3. to utter or say in a sneering manner.
n.
4. a look or expression of derision, scorn, or contempt.
5. a derisive or scornful utterance, esp. one more or less covert or insinuative.
6. an act of sneering.
[ 1545-55; orig., to snort; cf. Fris (N dial.) sneere scornful remark, SNARL 1 ]
Syn. 2. gibe. See scoff. 5. scoff, gibe, jeer.