sneer at

VERB

belittle

Synonyms

STRONGEST

criticize decry deride discredit disparage downplay scorn underestimate

STRONG

deprecate depreciate derogate diminish discount downgrade knock lower minimize pan rip roast slam smear trivialize underrate undervalue

WEAK

bad-mouth cut down to size cut to the quick dispraise dump on pooh pooh poor-mouth put down run down scoff at shoot down shoot full of holes take a swipe at take down take down a peg tear down write off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

approve commend compliment flatter laud praise

STRONG

enlarge increase overestimate overrate overvalue raise upgrade

WEAK

build up exaggerate value

VERB

depreciate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

lower undervalue

STRONG

abuse asperse attack calumniate censure condemn contemn decry defame denigrate denounce deprecate deride derogate detract discount discountenance discredit disgrace disparage fault humble knock malign minimize rap revile roast scorn slam slander slight slur smear spurn traduce underestimate underrate vilify

WEAK

clamor against dispraise find fault with look down on put down run down scoff at take down a peg

Antonyms

STRONGEST

praise

STRONG

approve build up cherish commend compliment defend endorse esteem exaggerate exalt flatter honor increase laud maximize overestimate overrate protect respect revere sanction support

WEAK

gain value raise rate recommend

VERB

disdain

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abhor belittle deride despise pooh-pooh spurn

STRONG

chill cold-shoulder contemn disregard hate ignore refuse reject scout slight undervalue

WEAK

be allergic to look down nose at look down on misprize put down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

admire cherish like love praise

STRONG

accept allow approve note pay attention regard sanction

WEAK

esteem favor respect

VERB

pooh-pooh

Synonyms

STRONGEST

belittle play down repudiate

STRONG

discount disregard rebuff reject

WEAK

brush aside make light of scoff at treat with contempt wave aside

Antonyms

STRONGEST

build up

STRONG

attend pay attention

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"This woman is very intelligent, she's not here by chance. And if she does also run for a fourth time, she won't be an opponent we can sneer at," hard-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon has said.

From Barron's • Jul. 7, 2026

If we punish risk, overregulate builders, sneer at industry, neglect education, or close the door to people who want to contribute, we will become less exceptional.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2026

"I think most of our characters were quite warm and quite engaging and we didn't sneer at them or mock them," says Paul.

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2026

They sneer at feminists for working, but creating online content is work, and often quite lucrative for those who snag huge fanbases.

From Salon • Nov. 27, 2023

But the politician, at other times, eager to do good for man, may sneer at the artist because the art product cannot be used by him.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright

sneer at

Example Sentences

Related Words