1
Core action
Speak about an idea or person with mocking disbelief, scorn, or open disrespect.
Example
Critics initially scoffed at the unconventional design.
scoff
/skɒf/ · SKOFFverb
Speak about an idea or person with mocking disbelief, scorn, or open disrespect.
Use scoff to express this relationship precisely: speak about an idea or person with mocking disbelief, scorn, or open disrespect.
What scoff Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common construction
Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.
Example
It is easy to scoff before examining the evidence.
3
Reasoning effect
It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.
Example
Several commentators scoffed at the prediction, which later proved accurate.
Use scoff Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
Critics initially scoffed at the unconventional design.
It is easy to scoff before examining the evidence.
Several commentators scoffed at the prediction, which later proved accurate.
Precision Matters
Scoff overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
scoff
vs.Means speak about an idea or person with mocking disbelief, scorn, or open disrespect.
deride
Means mock, ridicule, or treat someone or something with contempt.
scoff
vs.Means speak about an idea or person with mocking disbelief, scorn, or open disrespect.
disparage
Means speak of someone or something in a belittling, dismissive, or disrespectful way.
scoff
vs.Means speak about an idea or person with mocking disbelief, scorn, or open disrespect.
extol
Means praise someone or something enthusiastically and publicly.
scoff
vs.Means speak about an idea or person with mocking disbelief, scorn, or open disrespect.
acclaim
Means enthusiastic and public praise.
Test scoff in Context
They may mock the theory rather than consider it respectfully.
1
Some reviewers may ___ at the theory because it challenges a long-standing assumption.