# sneer vs swear

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### sneer
*verb · IPA /snɪə̯/ · frequency rank #41,890*
To raise a corner of the upper lip slightly, especially in scorn.

### swear
*verb · IPA /ˈswɛə(ɹ)/ · frequency rank #2,968*
To take an oath, to promise intensely, solemnly, and/or with legally binding effect.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sneer-vs-swear