ridicule

1 of 2

noun

rid·​i·​cule ˈri-də-ˌkyül 

: the act of ridiculing : derision, mockery

ridicule

2 of 2

verb

ridiculed; ridiculing

transitive verb

: to make fun of

ridiculer noun

Synonyms

Noun

• derision
• mockery
• sport

Verb

• deride
• gibe
• jibe
• jeer
• laugh (at)
• mock
• scout
• shoot down
• skewer

Choose the Right Synonym for ridicule

ridicule, deride, mock, taunt mean to make an object of laughter of.

ridicule implies a deliberate often malicious belittling.

consistently ridiculed everything she said

deride suggests contemptuous and often bitter ridicule.

derided their efforts to start their own business

mock implies scorn often ironically expressed as by mimicry or sham deference.

the other kids mocked the way he laughed

taunt suggests jeeringly provoking insult or challenge.

hometown fans taunted the visiting team

Examples of ridicule in a Sentence

Noun

She didn't show anyone her artwork for fear of ridicule.

the early efforts by the suffragists to obtain voting rights for women were met with ridicule

Verb

The other kids ridiculed him for the way he dressed.

They ridiculed all of her suggestions.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But overjoyed liberals seem to again have a discomfiting ally in Trump, who released a curious post-collapse statement that appeared to heap ridicule on Putin. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024

The damage was so severe that when French President Emmanuel Macron vowed the following day to rebuild and see the cathedral reopened to the public by 2024, he was met with ridicule. —Chantal Da Silva, NBC News, 24 Nov. 2024

Verb

Arkansas Razorbacks offensive lineman Fernando Carmona was ridiculed after video caught him stepping on the ankle of a Texas Tech player during the Liberty Bowl over the weekend. —Scott Thompson, Fox News, 31 Dec. 2024

They’re regarded as a poor compromise between a sedan and an SUV that tend to do nothing particularly well, and are often ridiculed for selling the idea of off-road capability without actually possessing that capability. —Bryan Rogala, Outside Online, 30 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French or Latin; French, from Latin ridiculum jest

First Known Use

Noun

1675, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1680, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ridicule

• figure of fun/ridicule
• hold (someone) up to (public) ridicule
• self-ridicule
• subject/object of ridicule

Kids Definition

ridicule

1 of 2 noun

rid·​i·​cule ˈrid-ə-ˌkyü(ə)l 

: the act of making fun of someone or something : derision

ridicule

2 of 2 verb

ridiculed; ridiculing

: to make fun of : deride

ridiculer noun