deride
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Related Words
See ridicule.
Other Word Forms
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.
But making them sound like centuries old technology is a way to deride their worth.
From BBC • Jul. 29, 2025
It has always been popular, and continues to be popular, to make fun of lawyers, to deride lawyers, to denigrate lawyers, and I get that we deserve a lot of what we get.
From Slate • Mar. 17, 2025
OK, you get up there, they're going to rap each other off and they're supposed to deride and blast each other.
From Salon • May 18, 2024
But to deride it as such is to ignore all the episode delivered in exchange for putting off a climactic confrontation of samurais.
From New York Times • Apr. 16, 2024
Should they further threaten or deride, I will borrow Elizabeth Browning's sweet refrain,— "I am no trumpet, but a reed,"— and trust not to become a broken one.
From From the Oak to the Olive A Plain record of a Pleasant Journey by Howe, Julia Ward
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.
