deride
to mock or ridicule
Roots
Other words with the rid / ris root
- derision: contemptuous mockery
- derisive: mocking or scornful
- ridicule: mockery; to mock
- ridiculous: absurd or laughable
- risible: laughable; absurd
Deride is laughter aimed downward: mockery with contempt in it.
The critic derided the plan before reading the evidence.