Derides the contradictory directions said to come to one's ears (6)
I believe the answer is:
sneers
'one's ears' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I don't see how they can define each other.
'derides the contradictory directions said to come' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'directions' could be 'ne' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'ne' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sneers that I've seen before include "Contemptuous or scornful remarks" , "Shows scorn" , "Makes scornful remark, derides" , "Jeers, derides" , "Expresses cynical contempt" .)