gibes

dʒʌɪb

noun

an insulting or mocking remark; a taunt.

a jibe at his old rivals

snide remark,cutting remark,taunt,sneer,jeer,insult,barb,dig,wisecrack,crack,put-down

verb

make insulting or mocking remarks; jeer.

some cynics in the media might jibe

jeer,taunt,mock,scoff,sneer