sneering

sneer  (snîr)

n.

1. A scornful facial expression characterized by a slight raising of one corner of the upper lip.

2. A contemptuous facial expression, sound, or statement.

v. sneered, sneer·ing, sneers

v.tr.

To utter with a sneer or in a sneering manner.

v.intr.

1. To assume a scornful, contemptuous, or derisive facial expression.

2. To speak in a scornful, contemptuous, or derisive manner.

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[From Middle English sneren, to mock, alteration of Old English fnran, to breathe heavily; see pneu- in Indo-European roots.]

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sneerer n.

sneerful, sneery adj.

sneering·ly adv.

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

sneering - expressive of contempt; "curled his lip in a supercilious smile"; "spoke in a sneering jeering manner"; "makes many a sharp comparison but never a mean or snide one" snide, supercilious uncomplimentary - tending to (or intended to) detract or disparage