The word "sneering" is spelled with a combination of consonants and vowels that make it challenging for some to pronounce. The IPA phonetic transcription for "sneering" is /snɪrɪŋ/. The first two letters in "sneering" are "sn", which are pronounced together as a consonant cluster. The "ee" is a long vowel sound, followed by the "r" sound, which is pronounced with the tip of the tongue touching the roof of the mouth. The final "ing" are pronounced with a soft "g" sound. So, "sneering" is pronounced as "sn-ee-r-ing".
Sneering refers to an expression or attitude characterized by contempt, disdain, or mockery towards someone or something. It is often manifested through a cynical smile, a derisive look, or a mocking tone of voice. A sneering individual exhibits a condescending and scornful behavior, intentionally belittling or ridiculing others to assert superiority or dominance.
This adjective can be used to describe an action, a remark, or even a facial expression. Sneering typically involves the act of mocking or taunting others, usually based on a perceived weakness, flaw, or difference. It embodies a form of derision that aims to undermine or diminish the worth or credibility of the target, highlighting a lack of respect or empathy.
Sneering can occur in various contexts, such as social interactions, debates, politics, or even online spaces. It is a behavior often associated with arrogance, condescension, or a self-righteous attitude, depicting a lack of willingness to engage in constructive dialogue or to consider alternative perspectives.
Overall, sneering represents a negative and disrespectful attitude towards others, showcasing a desire to demean, criticize, or belittle them. It is an expression of scorn that reflects a lack of empathy and an attempt to establish power or superiority over others through derision and mockery.
Manifesting contempt by turning up the nose, or by a significant look.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word sneering is derived from the Middle English term snéren which meant to snort or sneeze. It evolved from the Old Norse word snerra which had a similar meaning of to scorn or to mock. Over time, the word snéren began to refer specifically to a contemptuous facial expression or attitude, hence the modern meaning of sneering.