What does fleer mean?
Fleer means (archaic) To make a wry face in contempt, or to grin in scorn.
Fleer
/flɪə/ · verb
Meaning
(archaic) To make a wry face in contempt, or to grin in scorn.
Definitions by Sense
- (archaic) To make a wry face in contempt, or to grin in scorn
- (archaic) To grin with an air of civility; to leer.
- (archaic) Mockery; derision.
- One who flees.
Example Sentences
LEONATO. Tush, tush, man! never fleer and jest at me: I speak not like a dotard nor a fool, As, under privilege of age, to brag What I have done being young, or what would do, Were I not old.
[I]n short, sneering and fleering at him in her cold barren way[.]
In the time of popery, before the gospel came amongst us, we went to burials with weeping and wailing, as though there were no God: but since the gospel came unto us, I have heard say, that in some places they go with the corses grinning and flearing, as though they went to a bear-baiting;[…]
[…] And flattery tipt with nauseous fleer, And guilty shame, and servile fear, Envy, and cruelty, and pride, Will in your tainted heart preside.
Which fear of the fleers away was no less ignominious, then if[…]they had turned their backs to the enemie.
Synonyms for fleer
Antonyms for fleer
Related Words
Word Forms
- fleers
- fleering
- fleered
Usage Notes
Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.
Practice and Learn More
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a synonym for fleer?
Common synonyms include deride, sneer, mock, gibe.
What is the opposite of fleer?
The opposite depends on the specific sense.
How do you use fleer in a sentence?
LEONATO. Tush, tush, man! never fleer and jest at me: I speak not like a dotard nor a fool, As, under privilege of age, to brag What I have done being young, or what would do, Were I not old.
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.