Sneer

To smile or speak in a contemptuous or scornful manner; to express disdain or mockery through facial expressions or tone of voice. A Sneer often indicates derision and can be a sign of superiority or condescension toward someone or something deemed inferior or unworthy. It may also reflect an attempt to belittle others, often through sarcasm or an outright display of disdain.

Sneer meaning with examples

• As Sarah walked away from the debate stage, she couldn't help but notice the Sneer on her opponent's face, a clear indication of his contempt for her views. It made her blood boil, fueling her resolve to stand by her beliefs despite the mockery that surrounded her. In that moment, she realized that his Sneer was just a mask for his own insecurities, and she was determined to rise above it.
• The teacher's Sneer as she read the poorly written essay made it clear that she had little patience for lackluster effort. Students exchanged glances, sensing the atmosphere shift, knowing they needed to rise to the occasion if they wanted to earn her respect. The Sneer felt like a personal affront to anyone who valued the importance of genuine effort in their schooling.
• During the meeting, John couldn't shake off the Sneer his boss wore when he proposed a new idea. It felt as though John was being belittled in front of his peers. However, the experience galvanized him to refine his proposal further, determined not to let that contempt deter his creativity and innovative thinking, proving that a Sneer could motivate growth rather than crush it.
• When the critic delivered his review with a Sneer, it stung the artist to her core. It was one thing to critique her work, but another to undermine her passion and dedication with such disdain. Rather than succumbing to feelings of defeat, she decided to take it as feedback and inspiration, channeling the pain of the Sneer into a new, transformative piece of artwork.