The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word SCORN
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
S
C
O
R
N
More clues leading to the result SCORN
- Have contempt for small crop
- An end to this callous contempt
- Reject with contempt ultimately useless banal stuff
- Partners at table stifling expression of surprise and disdain
- My heartless son inspires contempt
- Partners at table hiding expression of surprise and disdain
- Sniff at old Bob’s foot sore?
- Second lot of old jokes provokes derision
- Show contempt for ultimately useless banal stuff
- Refuse to acknowledge stand-up’s opening with poor jokes
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Sniff at" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case sniff at = scorn.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does SCORN mean?
SCORN noun- Contempt or disdain.
- A display of disdain; a slight.
- An object of disdain, contempt, or derision.
- To feel or display contempt or disdain for something or somebody; to despise.
- To reject, turn down.
- To refuse to do something, as beneath oneself.
- To scoff, to express contempt.