Mockery vs Sneer - What's the difference?

As nouns the difference between mockery and sneer

is that mockery is the action of mocking; ridicule, derision while sneer is a facial expression where one slightly raises one corner of the upper lip, generally indicating scorn.

As a verb sneer is

to raise a corner of the upper lip slightly, especially in scorn.

mockery

English

Noun

(mockeries)

The action of mocking; ridicule, derision.

Something so lacking in necessary qualities as to inspire ridicule; a laughing-stock.

(obsolete) Something insultingly imitative; an offensively futile action, gesture etc.

Mimicry, imitation, now usually in a derogatory sense; a travesty, a ridiculous simulacrum.

The defendant wasn't allowed to speak at his own trial - it was a mockery of justice.

Usage notes

* We often use make a mockery' of someone or something, meaning to ' mock them. See also

Synonyms

* See also

sneer

English

Verb

(en verb)

To raise a corner of the upper lip slightly, especially in scorn

To utter with a grimace or contemptuous expression; to say sneeringly.

to sneer fulsome lies at a person

Noun

(en noun)

A facial expression where one slightly raises one corner of the upper lip, generally indicating scorn.

A display of contempt; scorn.

* {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)

, chapter=8 citation , passage=It was a casual sneer , obviously one of a long line. There was hatred behind it, but of a quiet, chronic type, nothing new or unduly virulent, and he was taken aback by the flicker of amazed incredulity that passed over the younger man's ravaged face.}}

Anagrams

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