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Meaning & use

scoffer

noun·Advanceddisapproving

Last updated

UK/ˈskɒfə/
US/ˈskɒfər/
Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.

Meanings

  1. nouncountabledisapproving

    A person who mocks an idea or belief, showing scorn rather than serious doubt.

    Grammar: Usually describes a person who shows contempt.

    Patterns

    • a scoffer at something

    The inventor ignored the scoffers who said his machine would never fly.

    A few scoffers laughed at the new recycling plan.

    Even the loudest scoffer admitted the idea had worked.

  2. nouncountablereligionarchaic

    In religious writing, a person who rejects or mocks faith or sacred things.

    Grammar: Old-fashioned use in scripture and sermons.

    Patterns

    • a scoffer of religion

    The sermon warned against becoming a scoffer.

    In the old text, the scoffer sits in the seat of the proud.

    The preacher answered the scoffers in the crowd.

Word forms

pluralscoffers

Common combinations

silence the scoffers
Her win silenced the scoffers who doubted her.
a habitual scoffer
He was a habitual scoffer who laughed at every new idea.
scoffers and skeptics
The theory attracted scoffers and skeptics alike.
prove the scoffers wrong
The young team proved the scoffers wrong.
a scoffer at religion
He was once a scoffer at religion.

Synonyms and how they differ

mocker
Mocker is the plainest word and stresses laughing at someone, while scoffer stresses scorn for an idea.
sceptic
Sceptic means someone who doubts and wants proof, not someone who sneers.
cynic
Cynic believes people act from selfish motives, so it is about attitude rather than mocking.
detractor
Detractor is someone who criticizes, often seriously, with less mockery.

Opposites

believersupporter

Word family

scoff verb
to speak with scorn or mock
scoffingly adverb
in a mocking way
scoffing noun
mocking talk
scoff verb
in British informal use, to eat greedily

Commonly confused: scoffer or skeptic?

scoffer vs skeptic

A skeptic doubts and asks for evidence, while a scoffer openly ridicules.

Practice

Despite the ___ who laughed at her plan, she finished the marathon.

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