ridicule

1 of 3

noun (1)

rid·​i·​cule ˈri-də-ˌkyül 

: the act of ridiculing : derision, mockery

ridicule

2 of 3

verb

ridiculed; ridiculing

transitive verb

: to make fun of

ridiculer noun

ridiculer

3 of 3

noun (2)

rid·​i·​cul·​er

-ˌkyülə(r)

plural -s

: one that engages in ridicule

Synonyms of ridicule

Noun (1)

• contempt
• disdain
• derision
• laughter

Verb

• mock

Choose the Right Synonym for ridicule

ridicule, deride, mock, taunt mean to make an object of laughter of.

ridicule implies a deliberate often malicious belittling.

consistently ridiculed everything she said

deride suggests contemptuous and often bitter ridicule.

derided their efforts to start their own business

mock implies scorn often ironically expressed as by mimicry or sham deference.

the other kids mocked the way he laughed

taunt suggests jeeringly provoking insult or challenge.

hometown fans taunted the visiting team

Examples of ridicule in a Sentence

Noun (1)

She didn't show anyone her artwork for fear of ridicule.

the early efforts by the suffragists to obtain voting rights for women were met with ridicule

Verb

The other kids ridiculed him for the way he dressed.

They ridiculed all of her suggestions.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

All of us speaking the same language, all of us unabashedly sharing our love of the show without fear of ridicule. — Christopher Watson, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

Trump’s hair has long been the subject of ridicule from his critics, with comedian Rosie O’Donnell in August alleging that the president's hair was fake and actually a wig. — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Verb

Fiction and reality braid in clever ways as Highsmith ridicules her visitor and is inspired by him, imagining a sinister plot (which could in fact be real). — Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026

De Paul’s behavior was both comedic fodder and an opportunity for English and Spanish-language pundits and content creators to ridicule his lack of awareness. — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

French or Latin; French, from Latin ridiculum jest

and Noun (2)

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1675, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1680, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ridicule

• figure of ridicule
• hold (someone) up to (public) ridicule
• self-ridicule
• subject/object of ridicule

Rhymes for ridicule

• minuscule
• molecule
• overrule
• poiseuille
• reticule
• vestibule
• ampoule
• bascule
• carpool
• cesspool
• ferrule
• footstool

Kids Definition

ridicule

1 of 2 noun

rid·​i·​cule ˈrid-ə-ˌkyü(ə)l 

: the act of making fun of someone or something : derision

ridicule

2 of 2 verb

ridiculed; ridiculing

: to make fun of : deride

ridiculer noun