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Definition
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sneezed; sneezing
: to make a sudden violent spasmodic audible expiration of breath through the nose and mouth especially as a reflex act
sneezer
noun
Phrases
sneeze at
informal
: to make light of
—always used in negative statements to indicate something that is important or deserves attention
… a red ribbon for second place is not to be sneezed at or scorned.—Richard Peck
Perquisites and severance pay are nothing to sneeze at [=are significant]
Examples of sneeze in a Sentence
Verb
She was constantly sneezing and coughing.
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Verb
That means a kid could get it if an infected person coughs or sneezes around them, Michael Chang, MD, an infectious disease physician at UTHealth Houston, tells SELF.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 30 Oct. 2024
Seasonal allergies can cause a runny nose and sneezing—but also itchy eyes and even ears, which are not common cold or flu symptoms.
—Juno Demelo, Glamour, 25 Oct. 2024
Noun
Walking pneumonia can spread through droplets when someone coughs or sneezes, the germs linger in the air and others breathe them in, the CDC said.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
And like those other illnesses, RSV can spread directly when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sneeze
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English snesen, alteration of fnesen, from Old English fnēosan; akin to Middle High German pfnūsen to snort, sneeze, Greek pnein to breathe
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Noun
1646, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of sneeze was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing sneeze
Articles Related to sneeze
Dictionary Entries Near sneeze
Cite this Entry
“Sneeze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sneeze. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
sneeze
verbˈsnēz
sneezed; sneezing
: to force the breath out through the nose or mouth in a sudden violent noisy action
sneeze
noun
sneezer
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on sneeze
Nglish: Translation of sneeze for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of sneeze for Arabic Speakers
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