RIDICULE Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'ridicule' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of ridicule are deride , mock , and taunt . While all these words mean "to make an object of laughter of," ridicule implies a deliberate often malicious belittling. // consistently ridiculed everything she said

Q: When is 'deride' a more appropriate choice than 'ridicule'?

The meanings of deride and ridicule largely overlap; however, deride suggests contemptuous and often bitter ridicule. // derided their efforts to start their own business

Q: In what contexts can 'mock' take the place of 'ridicule'?

The words mock and ridicule are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mock implies scorn often ironically expressed as by mimicry or sham deference. // youngsters began to mock the helpless wino

Q: When is it sensible to use 'taunt' instead of 'ridicule'?

While the synonyms taunt and ridicule are close in meaning, taunt suggests jeeringly provoking insult or challenge. // hometown fans taunted the visiting team

ridicule 1 of 2

noun

ˈri-də-ˌkyül

Definition of ridicule next

as in contempt

the making of unkind jokes as a way of showing one's scorn for someone or something the early efforts by the suffragists to obtain voting rights for women were met with ridicule

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ridicule

2 of 2

verb

as in to mock

to make (someone or something) the object of unkind laughter the term "big bang theory" was originally coined to ridicule the belief that the universe was created by a giant explosion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ridicule distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of ridicule are deride, mock, and taunt. While all these words mean "to make an object of laughter of," ridicule implies a deliberate often malicious belittling.

consistently ridiculed everything she said

When is deride a more appropriate choice than ridicule?

The meanings of deride and ridicule largely overlap; however, deride suggests contemptuous and often bitter ridicule.

derided their efforts to start their own business

In what contexts can mock take the place of ridicule?

The words mock and ridicule are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mock implies scorn often ironically expressed as by mimicry or sham deference.

youngsters began to mock the helpless wino

When is it sensible to use taunt instead of ridicule?

While the synonyms taunt and ridicule are close in meaning, taunt suggests jeeringly provoking insult or challenge.

hometown fans taunted the visiting team

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of ridicule

Noun

The first episode’s ridicule of Brown’s religiosity, and its relish of the pre–Civil War mayhem in Bleeding Kansas, made the series seem part of this unfortunate trend. —

Martha Bayles, National Review, 24 Oct. 2024 Thus, authenticity isn’t prioritized when missteps are constantly met with ridicule, shame, or undue consequences from leadership. —

Cicely Simpson, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024

Verb

The crypto community is ridiculing filmmaker Cullen Hoback for producing a documentary criticized for its lack of factual accuracy and its heavy reliance on suspense over substance. —

Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 9 Oct. 2024 Young voters in both camps have seized on certain messages to ridicule or to emphasize certain values which have ranged from Tik Tock, Instagram reels of dance videos about eating cats and dogs to Trump depicted as the Messiah. —

Earl Carr, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ridicule

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ridicule

Noun

Sheridan, while working for Arpaio, was found in civil contempt of court in connection with the Melendres racial profiling lawsuit.

Jimmy Jenkins, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
On Tuesday, he was released from a federal prison after serving four months for contempt of Congress over his defiance of a subpoena from investigators into the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol.

Simon Montlake, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Nov. 2024