snicker

1 of 2

verb

snick·​er ˈsni-kər How to pronounce snicker (audio)
snickered; snickering ˈsni-k(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce snicker (audio)
Synonyms of snicker

intransitive verb

: to laugh in a covert or partly suppressed manner : titter
snickerer
ˈsni-kər-ər How to pronounce snicker (audio)
noun
snickery
ˈsni-k(ə-)rē How to pronounce snicker (audio)
adjective

snicker

2 of 2

noun

: an act or sound of snickering

Synonyms of snicker

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Verb

Noun

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Examples of snicker in a Sentence

Verb he snickered at the puzzled look on her face Noun a snicker of derision when we heard their offer on the house
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Tension in the chamber spiked as members of the public began to snicker and shout. — Sara-James Ranta, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026 There are people who keep snickering through the end, and then there are people who are moved by it and are clearly mad that those people are snickering. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 18 Aug. 2026
Noun
As executed, the 2019 show is an emotional yet refreshingly unsentimental black comedy that snickers in the face of empowerment buzzwords like, well, healing journey. — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026 Classic cookies come in 11 flavors like chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter, snicker doodle, white chocolate macadamia nut, fruity pebbles, monster and white chocolate cranberry. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for snicker

Word History

Etymology

Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

1694, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1835, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of snicker was in 1694

Rhymes for snicker

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Browse Nearby Words

snick
snicker
snickerdoodle
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Snicker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snicker. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

snicker

1 of 2 verb
snick·​er ˈsnik-ər How to pronounce snicker (audio)
snickered; snickering -(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce snicker (audio)
: to give a small and often mean or sly laugh

snicker

2 of 2 noun
: an act or sound of snickering

More from Merriam-Webster on snicker

Nglish: Translation of snicker for Spanish Speakers

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