to smile, laugh, or contort the face in a manner that shows scorn or contempt

They sneered at his pretensions.

to speak or write in a manner expressive of derision or scorn.

to utter or say in a sneering manner.

a look or expression of derision, scorn, or contempt.

a derisive or scornful utterance, esp. one more or less covert or insinuative.

an act of sneering.

verb

compliment , praise

verb

affront , belittle , burlesque , caricature , crack , curl one’s lip at , decry , deride , detract , disdain , disparage , dump , fleer , flout , gibe , gird , give bronx cheer , grin , hold in contempt , hold up to ridicule , insult , jeer , jest , lampoon , laugh at , leer , look down on , put down , quip at , rally , rank out , ridicule , satirize , scoff , scorn , slam , slight , smile , sneeze at * , sniff at , snigger , swipe , taunt , travesty , turn up one’s nose , twit , underrate , snicker , condemn , expression , grimace , mock , scout , smirk , snub

noun

fleer , snicker , snigger