¹sneer

scoff, jeer, gibe, fleer, sneer, flout mean to show one's contempt in derision or mockery. scoff stresses insolence, disrespect, or incredulity as motivating the derision <scoffed at their concerns>. jeer suggests a coarser more undiscriminating derision <the crowd jeered at the prisoners>. gibe implies taunting either good-naturedly or in sarcastic derision <hooted and gibed at the umpire>. fleer suggests grinning or grimacing derisively <the saucy jackanapes fleered at my credulity>. sneer stresses insulting by contemptuous facial expression, phrasing, or tone of voice <sneered at anything romantic>. flout stresses contempt shown by refusal to heed <flouted the conventions of polite society>.