sneer

verb - to talk about or look at someone or something in an unkind way that shows disrespect or disapproval of them

noun - an unkind facial expression, which shows lack of respect or approval of someone or something

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

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WORD ORIGIN

From before 1400, the word "sneren" meant to mock or hold in contempt. Sneer is likely related to the North Frisian sneere (scorn, disgust) and is similar to the Middle High German snerren (to chatter), snarren (to rattle) and snurren (hum, drone or whir). The sense of "to smile with contempt" is from 1680 and the sense of curling the upper lip in scorn is from 1775.

Arnold Schwarzenegger was an excellent sneerer when he was still terminating bad guys in Hollywood. As California Governor he acted quite differently, with respect and composure.

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SNEER POLITICS

The Green Party has been quick to apologise and delete their attack advertisement mocking National leader Simon Bridges, not only for his environmental policies, but also for his accent. But what led the party to make such an ad in the first place? The ad is an example of the global phenomenon of "sneer politics", in which it's fashionable for liberal elites to admonish and ridicule the ordinariness of political opponents.

The likes of Donald Trump and Boris Johnson are ridiculed not just for their reactionary politics, but also for their rather vulgar or even "common" styles and personalities. We call them "clowns".

Yet these political figures are often very successful for the very reason that they are sneered at. Condescension from liberal elites actually makes them more popular. Famously, when Hillary Clinton labelled Trump's supporters "deplorables" it actually pushed many voters towards supporting the populist candidate for president.

Bryce Edwards - Radio New Zealand

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SYNONYMS

belittle, deride, disdain, disparage, disrespect, gibe, jeer, jest, lampoon, laugh at, leer, mock, put down, quip at, rib, ridicule, roast, satirise, scoff, scorn, slam, slight, smile, sneeze at, sniff at, snigger, swipe, taunt

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Practice OWAD in a conversation:

"He just SNEERED when the facilitator suggested turning mobile phones off during the meeting."