deride
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Synonym Usage
See ridicule.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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deridesimple
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deridessimple
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have deridedperfect
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has deridedperfect
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am deridingprogressive
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are deridingprogressive
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is deridingprogressive
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have been deridingperfect progressive
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has been deridingperfect progressive
Past
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deridedsimple
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had deridedperfect
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was deridingprogressive
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were deridingprogressive
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had been deridingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of deride
First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin dērīdēre “to mock,” equivalent to dē- de- + rīdēre “to laugh”
Explanation
The verb deride means to speak to someone with contempt or show a low opinion of someone or something. A bully might constantly deride other kids in his class — which might lead to many afternoons spent in the principal's office. To "ride" people is to get on their case or give them a hard time, and to deride is to do the same with insulting language or poor treatment. Deride comes from the Latin root dērīdēre, meaning "to ridicule, to scorn," and it's often used to express dislike or even hatred. Criticizing something with words is a common way to deride, and politicians often deride each other in their speeches during election campaigns.
Vocabulary lists containing deride
Advanced English Words
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Warm-up, List 3
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Dubliners
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Deride the IOC for its presumptiveness because it’s deserved.
From Washington Post • Jul. 23, 2021
Deride, de-rīd′, v.t. to laugh at: to mock.—n.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various
Deride with joyous comfortable chatter These stolen feathers.
From The Admirable Bashville or, Constancy Unrewarded by Shaw, Bernard
Deride the vanquished, and acclaim The conqueror, who stains her fame, Still the Gods love her, for that of high aim Is this good France, the bleeding thing they stripe.
From Poems — Volume 3 by Meredith, George
Deride no man's misfortunes, though there seem to be some cause.
From Our Deportment Or the Manners, Conduct and Dress of the Most Refined Society by Young, John H.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
