sneer
n. countablen. a facial expression that shows you think someone or something is not important or is not good. It is a way of showing you are being mean or unkind without using words.
n. a facial expression of contempt, disdain, or scorn. Often involves a slight curling of the lip or a narrowing of the eyes to convey a lack of respect.
He gave her a sneer when she asked for help.
The politician's sneer during the debate suggested he did not take his opponent's arguments seriously at all.
Her response was delivered with a cold sneer that managed to silence the entire room, leaving no doubt about her total dismissal of the proposal.
From Middle English sneren (“to mock, scoff at”), from Old English fnǣran (“to snort”), from Proto-West Germanic fnāʀijan, from Proto-Germanic fnesaną (“to pant, gasp”). Akin to North Frisian sneere (“to scorn”), Middle High German snerren (“to chatter; gossip”), Danish snerre (“to growl, snarl”).