adjective

snide

SNYDE/snaɪd/

Mocking or insulting in an indirect way.

The participant gives a snide thumbs-up while smirking at the lopsided pot.

A pottery-class participant gives a visibly insincere little thumbs-up to another man's lopsided pot while sharing a sidelong, derisive smirk with a classmate.

Etymology

Its origin is unknown, but earlier meanings included “sham” and “contemptible.” The later sense of sneering may have developed through a noun use meaning “hypocrisy” or “malicious gossip.”

In context

SheWorld TV135:15

Please stop making snide remarks, and acting so passive- aggressive. What exactly did I do to offend you? You know what you did.

She Was a Top Hacker and PI, He an Elite Hunter—Their Fake Marriage Turned Into Love and Revenge

More examples

He makes snide remarks about how little I earn.
“Nice of you to finally help,” she says with a snide smile.
The review is snider than it needs to be.

Forms

snide · snider · snidest

snidely adverb — In an indirectly mocking or insulting way.

snideness noun — An indirectly mocking or insulting attitude.

Similar words

sarcastic: Often uses ironic praise to express criticism or mockery.
sneering: More openly conveys contempt rather than merely hinting at it.