ridicule
Americannoun
verb (used with object)
noun
verb
Related Words
Ridicule, deride, mock, taunt imply making game of a person, usually in an unkind, jeering way. To ridicule is to make fun of, either sportively and good-humoredly, or unkindly with the intention of humiliating: to ridicule a pretentious person. To deride is to assail one with scornful laughter: to deride a statement of belief. To mock is sometimes playfully, sometimes insultingly, to imitate and caricature the appearance or actions of another: She mocked the seriousness of his expression. To taunt is to call attention to something annoying or humiliating, usually maliciously and exultingly and often in the presence of others: to taunt a candidate about his defeat in an election.
Other Word Forms
- ridiculer noun
- self-ridicule noun
- unridiculed adjective
Etymology
Origin of ridicule
First recorded in 1665–75; from Latin rīdiculum “a joke,” equivalent to rīdēre “to laugh” + -i- -i- + -culum -cule 2
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.
Meanwhile, the management of the captain‑led pre‑kick‑off huddle in the 1-0 home loss to Newcastle drew ridicule and frustrated officials, and Rosenior's side have appeared increasingly open defensively during their run of three straight defeats.
From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026
He attracted online ridicule in 2019 when he replied to his own social media post with: "Fantastic. Great move. Well done Angus".
From Barron's • Feb. 12, 2026
Over time, cadets concentrating in social sciences formed an elite enclave, which became an object of resentment and ridicule among some more hidebound officers.
From Slate • Feb. 9, 2026
“I wanted to laugh with them and sometimes their naivete is funny and endearing. But I never wanted to ridicule them. Of course, it’s a very scary thing to try and do.”
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 24, 2025
Laury, Cala, and Hennessey are all facing me, with Khyler on my left and Britt-Marie on my right, trapping me in a circle of ridicule.
From "Fast Pitch" by Nic Stone
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.
