Showing results for "mocking"

• present participle of mock.

mocking

American  

[mok-ing] / ˈmɒk ɪŋ /

adjective

1. showing ridicule, contempt, or derision.

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

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noun

• mockings
  plural

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• mockings
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of mocking

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

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Explanation

When you talk to or about someone in a mocking tone, you're making fun of them in a nasty, mean way. But if you're a comedy writer or political satirist, a mocking attitude is a tool of your trade. If you're writing a skit about the outrageous proposal some politician has just made, you'll write it in a mocking tone, imitating the politician's voice and mannerisms in a way that makes him look as ridiculous as you think he is. Seen any mockingbirds lately? That's the bird that sings almost nonstop, imitating the calls of other birds.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mocking mockings

Sirianni and Quinn now have to listen to a week’s worth of mocking from laypeople, podcasters, and worst of all, sports columnists at financial newspapers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026

Saudi Arabia has yet to comment on Sunday's claimed attack, but has previously dismissed some claims as misleading, mocking the Houthis for "chasing imaginary victories".

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

"They don't have enough land," he said, mocking Russia -- the world's largest country.

From Barron's ● Sep. 26, 2026

His longtime girlfriend had just broken up with him, his teammates were mocking him behind his back and, at 23, he had crossed the line from prospect to liability.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026

“What disgraceful behavior!” he exclaimed in a mocking tone so familiar that it made her teary.

From "In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson" by Bette Bao Lord

A #nursewho hashtag emerged on Twitter, attached both to attacks on the casting and ironic mockings of the attackers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2017

Then all the by-standers raised a shout of exultation, and began pointing at the ghastly head, with mockings and derisive laughter.

From Margaret of Anjou Makers of History by Jacob Abbott

We must be the object of their criticism, of their scoffs, of their mockings, and all this apart from the Master.

From Heart Talks by Charles Wesley Naylor

Backward I see in my own days where I sweated through fog with linguists and contenders, I have no mockings or arguments, I witness and wait.

From Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman

The deceived maiden is cast down by the jeers and mockings of her erstwhile companions, and comforted by Siebel.

From A Book of Operas Their Histories, Their Plots, and Their Music by Henry Edward Krehbiel

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Related Words

• derisive
• sarcastic

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