Snide

Question

Hello everyone,Is the word "snide" correctly used in the following sentences?1. His behavior is snide.2. He behaved snidely.3. He spoke snidely.JA

Dave_anon · Accepted Answer

Hi

I'd say yes. all those sentences are good. It's a slightly slangy word, but it means that the person's behaviour or attitude is not genuine or honest; or that the person is sneering

Dave

CalifJim · Answer

Joseph AIs the word "snide" correctly used in the following sentences?

I don't know about in Britain, but in the U.S. I only hear snide in two ways.

In one usage we describe things that are said or written as snide. It is language that is snide. What are some things that are said or written? remarks, comments, suggestions, replies, responses, references, whispers

Thus, to make a snide remark, to make a snide comment, to make a snide reply, and so on.

In another usage we just say that a person is snide (or being snide), meaning that they often make snide remarks (or that they are making a snide remark at the time).

The two groups of examples below show the two usages:

Often when we are in bars or restaurants, we notice people making snide comments.
Wieseltier's essay is far more snide than most of what has been directed at Nagel.
I've never ever heard anyone say a bad word or make a snide remark about him.
It was a snide reference to Bush-era CIA interrogators.
He only offered snide responses to the hordes of hate mail he received. 

Riley's post does not seem to have any particular point other than to be snide.
He was being snide, but, in a way, honest.
Even within the current Cabinet she comes across as particularly snide and preachy.

The adverbial form snidely is relatively rare, but when used it's mostly used with a verb of communication, thus: to speak snidely (about something or someone), to deliver a compliment snidely. In this respect your sentence 3 is fine.

CJ

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