deride
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Synonym Usage
See ridicule.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has deridedperfect 3rd person singular
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have deridedperfect
-
has been deridingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
deridingparticiple
-
are deridingprogressive
-
is deridingprogressive 3rd person singular
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deridessingular 3rd person
-
have been deridingperfect progressive
-
am deridingprogressive 1st person singular
Past
-
had deridedperfect
-
was deridingprogressive singular
-
were deridingprogressive plural
-
had been deridingperfect progressive
-
deridedparticiple
-
deridedsimple
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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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 the agonies of Gian Maria," answered Francesco, with a laugh.
From Love-at-Arms by Sabatini, Rafael
But the leaves persist as before, and after Our parting the dull day still bears flowers; And songs less bright than his laughter Deride us from birds in the bowers.
From A Dark Month From Swinburne's Collected Poetical Works Vol. V by Swinburne, Algernon Charles
Then do not frown or scoff at it, Deride not, or detract a whit.
From The Anatomy of Melancholy by Burton, Robert
Deride with joyous comfortable chatter These stolen feathers.
From The Admirable Bashville or, Constancy Unrewarded by Shaw, Bernard
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.
