sneering
Showing open contempt
Sneering is showing contempt through facial expression or tone—a curled lip, a mocking voice.
A sneer combines superiority with disdain: He sneered at their modest ambitions.
The word works as adjective, verb, or noun: a sneering remark, to sneer at someone, a sneer of contempt.
Unlike a smirk, which is private amusement, a sneer is openly hostile.
Contemptuous mocking treatment
- tauntingInsulting to provoke
- jeeringVocal public mockery
- scoffingMocking with contempt
- mockingScornfully imitating or ridiculing
sarcasm · jibe · gibe · snide · smirking · snickering · lampoon · caricature
Hostile dismissive feeling
- disdainScornful disregard
- derisionContemptuous mockery
- condescensionDemeaning air of superiority
- superiorityHigher rank or quality
arrogance · haughtiness · superciliousness · dismissiveness · disrespect · insolence · contemptuous · disdainful
- grimaceTwisted expression of displeasure
- smirkPleased, superior smile
- lip curlSneering facial gesture
- sardonic smileScornfully amused expression
dirty look · side-eye · eye roll · scowl · glower · sniff · huff · turned-up nose
Intent to cause harm
- spitePetty malicious intent
- venomInjected animal poison
- bitternessSharp, unpleasant taste or feeling
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
antagonism · nastiness · cruelty · meanness · vindictiveness · ill will · enmity · hatred
ridicule
Contemptuous mocking treatment
mocking · sarcasm · jibe · gibe · snide · smirking · snickering · lampoon · caricature · parody
scorn
Hostile dismissive feeling
- disdainScornful disregard
- derisionContemptuous mockery
- condescensionDemeaning air of superiority
superiority · arrogance · haughtiness · superciliousness · dismissiveness · disrespect · insolence · contemptuous · disdainful · scornful
curled lip
sardonic smile · dirty look · side-eye · eye roll · scowl · glower · sniff · huff · turned-up nose
malice
Intent to cause harm
- spitePetty malicious intent
- venomInjected animal poison
- bitternessSharp, unpleasant taste or feeling
animosity · antagonism · nastiness · cruelty · meanness · vindictiveness · ill will · enmity · hatred · loathing
- condescendingpatronizing, disdainful, scornful, dismissive, belittling
- dismissive behaviorssnub, scorn, ignore, disdain, dismissal
- disrespectinsulting, belittling, demeaning, mocking, ridiculing
- facial expressionssmiling, smile, grin, grinning, frown
- intimidationthreats, threatening, menacing, intimidate, bullying
- mockerymockery, ridiculing, jeers, jeering, jibes
sneeringadmiring
Feeling respect and approval
respectful · appreciative · reverent · deferential · laudatory