deride

verb

de·​ride di-ˈrīd 

dē-

derided; deriding

transitive verb

1

: to laugh at or insult contemptuously

… how they mock and deride him as he slinks away.

—Charles Dickens

2

: to subject to usually bitter or contemptuous ridicule or criticism

politicians deriding their opponents

: to express a lack of respect or approval of

These artists were a plucky band of underdogs and the conventional art community found all kinds of ways to deride them.

—Diane Urbani de la Paz

derider noun

deridingly

di-ˈrī-diŋ-lē 

dē-

adverb

Did you know?

Laughter may or may not be the best medicine—your mileage may vary—but it’s essential to understanding the verb deride. To deride someone or something is not merely to criticize or insult them, but to lower them (or attempt to lower them) in others’ esteem by making them appear ridiculous or worthy of mockery. This meaning is reflected in the word’s origins: deride comes from the Latin verb deridēre, a combination of the prefix de- (“to reduce or make lower”) and ridēre, meaning “to laugh.” Ridēre echoes in other English words as well, including ridicule and ridiculous. Ridicule functions as both verb (“to make fun of”) and noun (“the act of making fun of”), while ridiculous describes what arouses or deserves ridicule or mockery. More obscure than either of these ridēre descendants is the medical term risorius, which refers to a narrow band of muscle fibers in the face that reach to the corners of the mouth to make smiling possible. One does not necessarily need one’s risorius to deride something—people in the act of deriding may appear quite angry, even—but inspiring the bitter, contemptuous laughter of those within earshot is often the goal.

Synonyms of deride

• ridicule
• mock

Choose the Right Synonym for deride

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 deride in a Sentence

my brothers derided our efforts, but were forced to eat their words when we won first place

Recent Examples on the Web

There was initially fear that Italy, where senior officials had derided the move to send soldiers to Greenland, might be a holdout. —Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026

Throughout the conflict, The Free Press wrote from an unambiguously pro-Israeli point of view, deriding both pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses and the coverage of the war in mainstream outlets, including this magazine. —Clare Malone, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026

In evaluating the building’s future, Dallas might consider the example of New York’s Penn Station, a monumental work of architecture derided as dilapidated in the 1960s, and torn down for a development including an arena. —Mark Lamster architecture Critic, Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026

The aftermath of a Clasico is always about crowning decisive winners and deriding significant losers. —Michael Cox, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin deridēre, from de- + ridēre to laugh

First Known Use

circa 1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for deride

• abide
• allied
• applied
• aside
• astride
• azide
• backside
• bankside
• bastide
• bayside
• bedside
• belied

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Kids Definition

deride

verb

de·​ride di-ˈrīd 

derided; deriding

: to laugh at scornfully : make fun of

derider noun

deridingly

-ˈrīd-iŋ-lē 

adverb