Snicker

A snicker is a suppressed, often disrespectful or unkind laugh. It's a short, quiet sound, usually made when something is slightly amusing or ridiculous, but the laughter frequently carries an element of derision, amusement or superiority. It can range from a mild, almost involuntary response to something funny, to a mocking expression of scorn or contempt. The intention behind a snicker significantly influences its interpretation; a shared snicker amongst friends can be a sign of bonding, while a snicker directed at someone can be quite hurtful. The sound itself is often a breathy, quick expulsion of air from the mouth, sometimes accompanied by a slight upturn of the corners of the lips and a narrowing of the eyes. This makes it distinct from a full-blown laugh or a chuckle.

Snicker meaning with examples

• As the clumsy waiter tripped and spilled the soup, a few diners tried to stifle their snickers, realizing how mortified he would be. There was no real malice, just the unexpected humor of the situation. Most people would not have snickered. They would have had to hold back a full laugh.
• During the disastrous theatrical performance, several audience members exchanged snickers at the actors' exaggerated expressions and missed cues. Their shared laughter signaled mild entertainment from the mishap but no real empathy or a serious intention to make fun of the performance.
• The group of teenagers walking by let out a series of snickers as they saw the old man struggling to carry his groceries. Their snickers were undoubtedly meant to express a feeling of their age over his, and show their judgement on his frailty.
• When the politician made an obvious blunder during the debate, his opponent's campaign manager allowed a subtle snicker to escape, which the reporters immediately picked up on, revealing his view of his competition's error. This snicker revealed his genuine feelings about the opponent.
• Despite trying to maintain a serious demeanor, the detective couldn't quite suppress a snicker when the suspect claimed to have found the evidence 'by chance,' knowing the blatant implausibility of the story. The snicker betrayed his opinion.