mockery
Americannoun
-
ridicule, contempt, or derision.
-
a derisive, imitative action or speech.
-
a subject or occasion of derision.
-
an imitation, especially of a ridiculous or unsatisfactory kind.
- Synonyms:
- mimicry
-
a mocking pretense; travesty.
a mockery of justice.
-
something absurdly or offensively inadequate or unfitting.
noun
-
ridicule, contempt, or derision
-
a derisive action or comment
-
an imitation or pretence, esp a derisive one
-
a person or thing that is mocked
-
a person, thing, or action that is inadequate or disappointing
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of mockery
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English moquerie, from Middle French; equivalent to mock + -ery
Explanation
The noun mockery means ridicule or making a fool out of someone. Mockery of your history teacher is unwise just before she grades your mid-term exams. Mockery is making fun of or mocking someone or something. The act of mockery often involves copying someone's behavior or speech, making it look absurd, like a parody. For example, comedians often get laughs with mockery, by pretending to be famous politicians and exaggerating the way they talk or gesture. The expression "to make a mockery of" means to make something appear foolish or absurd, even if that’s not the intent — like a trial that “makes a mockery of justice.”
Vocabulary lists containing mockery
"The Tell-Tale Heart," Vocabulary from the short story
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"On Women's Right to Vote" by Susan B. Anthony
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Macbeth" Vocabulary from Act III
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Every other leader expected on the shores of Lake Geneva has been the target of attacks, criticism or mockery from the Republican billionaire.
From Barron's • Jun. 13, 2026
The press and the public usually reacted with suspicion and mockery upon seeing Monroe reading.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
Muslim leaders in the U.S. condemned this as an overt mockery of Islam.
From Salon • Jun. 1, 2026
Then one team wants to make a mockery of the final, Ganesha, by using backups.
From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026
He had spoken to me in Russian as though he had known the language, not tentatively, but with purpose and a hint of mockery.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
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.
