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to scoff

to scoff

57 6.5
To say or do things to show you do not respect someone
  • verb
  • /skɔf/
translation icon : burlarse de
  • No-nonsense archaeologists, scoffing at talk of astronauts, propose a version of the past.
  • scoff at the idea
  • scoff at the notion
  • scoff at the position

Anyone who looks at his, at his profile, at his credentials and scoffs, they're, they're, they're being disingenuous.

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Examples

  • Mike Mahoney, the police inspector who investigated the case, scoffed at the acquittal: "He knew exactly what he did."

    Academic text (2012)
  • On the other hand, most economists scoff at the idea of a robot tax.

    Academic text (2018)
  • I could look down and scoff at things, even faith.

  • Nancy was an out-of-work English professor and tended to scoff at all things scientific.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • The men who went out to investigate the accidents scoffed at such fears.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • But opinion was hardly unanimous, and many European and Australian health authorities scoffed at the Americans' concern.

    Academic text (2005)
  • A hundred years before, people would have scoffed at the idea of surpassing Boston, Philadelphia, and San Francisco.

    Academic text (2008)
  • A profile of Desmond in Prevention magazine scoffed at the government's limited means of disseminating regulatory information to consumers.

    Academic text (2016)
  • Ethnographic image-makers frequently scoffed at their subjects' fear of the camera because they themselves sensed its power.

    Academic text (1995)
  • The comedian scoffed at the ridiculous suggestion that he would change his style.

Synonyms

to laugh at
vsto scoff
  • Offensive
456 2.0

To make fun of someone in a mean way to show they are silly

is usually a scornful tone or laugh rather than general amusement
to make fun of
vsto scoff
  • Offensive
307 2.3

Laugh at someone or say things that make them feel embarrassed

is primarily scornful and contemptuous rather than possibly playful teasing
to ridicule
vsto scoff
  • Offensive
108 4.6

To make someone look silly in a mean way so others laugh at them

is typically a brief scornful laugh or remark rather than prolonged attack
to sneer
vsto scoff
39 5.6

Smile or speak to show you do not respect someone

is more about mocking words or laughter than a facial expression alone
to mouth off
vsto scoff
  • Informal
28 8.3

To speak rudely and loudly to a person in charge

focuses on scornful laughing or mocking rather than blunt rude speaking
to deride
vsto scoff
26 7.8

To make fun of someone in a cruel way

is more often a short sneering or laughing reaction than formal rebuke
to jeer
vsto scoff
  • Offensive
14 6.2

To laugh at someone and shout rude words to show you do not respect them

is often quieter, a deriding remark or sneer rather than loud jeering
to take potshots at
vsto scoff
  • Offensive
4 8.1

To make quick, unfair critical remarks about someone or their ideas

is more a direct scornful laugh or comment than casual criticism
3 7.5

To show you think something is not good enough

expresses contempt verbally through mocking speech or scornful laughter
to jibe
vsto scoff
  • Offensive
1 8.5

To make cruel or mocking remarks about someone

is often a quick mocking laugh or comment rather than planned taunts
to sneap at
vsto scoff
  • UK
9.9

To make fun of someone in a mean way to show you dislike them

leans more toward a spoken or laughed contempt rather than just a sneer
to barrack
vsto scoff
  • Offensive
8.6

To shout at someone to mock or interrupt them

is usually a scornful remark or laugh, not necessarily a loud interruption

How Scornful

to scoff
57 6.5
to mock
  • Offensive
209 3.4
to tease
245 1.9

Surface Forms

scoff infinitive
scoffed past
scoffed past participle
scoffing present participle
scoffs third person singular

Etymology

Scoff comes from an old Norse word skop that meant 'make fun of' or 'mock'. A helpful way to remember scoff is to think of it like scorn: it means to laugh at or speak about someone with strong dislike.