How is the word scoff distinct from other similar verbs?
Some common synonyms of scoff are fleer, flout, gibe, jeer, and sneer. While all these words mean "to show one's contempt in derision or mockery," scoff stresses insolence, disrespect, or incredulity as motivating the derision.
scoffed at their concerns
In what contexts can fleer take the place of scoff?
While in some cases nearly identical to scoff, fleer suggests grinning or grimacing derisively.
the saucy jackanapes fleered at my credulity
When can flout be used instead of scoff?
Although the words flout and scoff have much in common, flout stresses contempt shown by refusal to heed.
flouted the conventions of polite society
When might gibe be a better fit than scoff?
In some situations, the words gibe and scoff are roughly equivalent. However, gibe implies taunting either good-naturedly or in sarcastic derision.
hooted and gibed at the umpire
When could jeer be used to replace scoff?
The synonyms jeer and scoff are sometimes interchangeable, but jeer suggests a coarser more undiscriminating derision.
the crowd jeered at the prisoners
Where would sneer be a reasonable alternative to scoff?
The words sneer and scoff can be used in similar contexts, but sneer stresses insulting by contemptuous facial expression, phrasing, or tone of voice.
sneered at anything romantic
How is the word scoff distinct from other similar verbs?
Some common synonyms of scoff are fleer, flout, gibe, jeer, and sneer. While all these words mean "to show one's contempt in derision or mockery," scoff stresses insolence, disrespect, or incredulity as motivating the derision.
scoffed at their concerns
In what contexts can fleer take the place of scoff?
While in some cases nearly identical to scoff, fleer suggests grinning or grimacing derisively.
the saucy jackanapes fleered at my credulity
When can flout be used instead of scoff?
Although the words flout and scoff have much in common, flout stresses contempt shown by refusal to heed.
flouted the conventions of polite society
When might gibe be a better fit than scoff?
In some situations, the words gibe and scoff are roughly equivalent. However, gibe implies taunting either good-naturedly or in sarcastic derision.
hooted and gibed at the umpire
When could jeer be used to replace scoff?
The synonyms jeer and scoff are sometimes interchangeable, but jeer suggests a coarser more undiscriminating derision.
the crowd jeered at the prisoners
Where would sneer be a reasonable alternative to scoff?
The words sneer and scoff can be used in similar contexts, but sneer stresses insulting by contemptuous facial expression, phrasing, or tone of voice.
sneered at anything romantic
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scoff
Verb
When asked if the Mets would consider putting Senga in the bullpen in a long relief role, as the Mets have done with Manaea and Peterson, Stearns appeared to scoff at the notion.—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026 Insofar as one can in an email, Professor Crépel scoffed.—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
During previous Trump speeches to Congress, Democrats would often fill the room with groans, boos, scoffs and even chants as a jab to the president.—Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025 Thankfully things didn't escalate beyond a scoff in this case, but what should a traveler do in a similar situation to handle a pushy fellow passenger civilly?—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024 See All Example Sentences for scoff
Unlike earthworms, which enrich the soil, Asian Jumping Worms devour everything, stripping soil and damaging plant roots.
—
Maria Braganini,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
In the wild, groundhogs feed on a variety of plants and some insects, but in gardens, groundhogs happily devour most vegetables, as well as fruit, bulbs, and tree bark.
—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Apr. 2026
While some celebrants have greeted these caricatures with cathartic jeers and sneers, others are shocked and outraged.
—
Tim Brinkhof,
JSTOR Daily,
1 Apr. 2026
From the sneer of Billy Idol to the smooth sashaying of Sade, the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees amplify the institution’s commitment to recognizing a diverse slate.
For her part, the first lady nearly managed a smirk.
—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Apr. 2026
In those heady decades of postmodern language-play and seductive irresolution, claims for literature as a force for truth and justice would likely be dismissed, with a smirk, as humanist pieties.
Energy efficiency and carbon reduction were a big part of the pitch, as terrestrial data centers gulp enormous amounts of power and millions of gallons of coolant water.
—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
28 Mar. 2026
With the dead and the wounded sprawled around them, the mocambos gulped the wine from the sacramental chalice.
Finding a similar plot of usable farmland is nearly impossible, Kyle says, with development increasingly gobbling up space in the region and state.
—
Jonathan Bullington,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Families flock to the Cape for mini-golfing, traipsing around sand dunes, comparing ice cream stands, gobbling up lobster rolls, spotting whales, and simply admiring the gray cedar shake houses adorned with colorful buoys.