mocking

[mok-ing]

adjective

1. showing ridicule, contempt, or derision.

   Elsewhere along the parade route, small bands of protesters held mocking signs.

noun

1. contemptuous, derisive, and usually imitative speech or action.

   Jake just turned his face away and took the mocking and ridicule his brothers dished out.

Other Word Forms

• mockingly adverb
• self-mocking adjective
• unmocking adjective
• unmockingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of mocking¹

First recorded in 1400–50; mock ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective; mock ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun

Example Sentences

Mainstream pundits were tactfully silent in their appraisals of this event, no doubt wanting to avoid the appearance of mocking anyone’s grief.

From Salon

Before he was killed earlier this month at a speaking event in Utah, one of the most popular video clips featuring Charlie Kirk showed him mocking a college girl for having a wardrobe malfunction.

From Salon

While the network maintained this was “purely a financial decision” based on ratings, it came in the wake of Colbert mocking both the president and the network.

From Salon

"And to see these corporations mocking my speech – I just felt, in the pit of my stomach, truly humiliated."

From BBC

“It’s both impostor and mocking at the same time,” Donovan said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• derisive 
• sarcastic