mocked; mocking; mocks
1
: to treat with contempt or ridicule : deride
he has been mocked as a mama's boy—
C. P. Pierce
C. P. Pierce2
: to disappoint the hopes of
for any government to mock men's hopes with mere words and promises and gestures—D. D. Eisenhower
D. D. Eisenhower3
4
a
: to imitate (someone or something) closely : mimic
a mockingbird was mocking a cardinal—Nelson Hayes
Nelson Hayes
b
: to mimic in sport or derision
followed the old man along the street mocking his gait
mocker
noun
: in an insincere or counterfeit manner
—usually used in combination
mock-serious
Synonyms
Verb
Noun
Adjective
Examples of mock in a Sentence
Verb
The boys mocked him for showing fear.
He mocks art only because he doesn't understand it.
They continue to mock the idea of a new government.
We are being mocked for our religious beliefs.
You can mock me as much as you like, but I'm going to do it anyway.
Noun
they made a mock of the new recruit in front of the whole unit
obviously, the “priceless” Grecian urn that is destroyed in the movie was a mock
Adjective
We stared at him in mock surprise.
Every summer, our history club performs mock battles to relive our country's greatest war.
See More
Recent Examples on the WebDan Goodin, Ars Technica, 8 Nov. 2023
At the time of the infamous case, Donald Trump called on the state of New York to reinstate the death penalty in a newspaper ad, a call Salaam mocked during his council campaign.
—Melissa Noel, Essence, 8 Nov. 2023
Chetrit seems to be mocking our desire for self-exposure without actually divulging much.
—Chris Wiley, The New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2023
After Dorinda, 58, seemingly mocks Kelly, 55, the ladies are hurling disses at each other left and right.
—Dory Jackson, Peoplemag, 5 Nov. 2023
The phrase refers to mocking exchanges between then-candidate Trump and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio on the campaign trail in 2016, when Rubio, also a presidential hopeful, jokingly claimed Trump had disproportionately small hands as an insult to his anatomy.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 1 Nov. 2023
Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter) posted remarks earlier this month mocking Ukrainian president Vlodymr Zelensky that were met with a flood of support and enthusiasm from Russian trolls and accounts distributing pro-Russia propaganda.
—WIRED, 28 Oct. 2023
The former Trump aide, who openly mocked the election claims in the weeks following the vote, ultimately agreed with government assessments that the 2020 election was one of the most secure in the nation’s history.
—Edith Olmsted, The New Republic, 26 Oct. 2023
Trump mocked the 5 1/2 years McCain spent as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2023
John Benson, cleveland, 8 Sep. 2023
The beef roll, the heavy mock stitching, the large tongue, and the squat heel are all fundamental penny loafer features.
—Brad Lanphear, Men's Health, 8 Sep. 2023
High school mock trial teams have eight weeks to prepare for a case before it is tried.
—Thomas Goodwin Smith, Baltimore Sun, 19 July 2023
There’s a mock Devlin Macgregor Pharmaceuticals website that sells Provasic T-shirts, hats, golf shirts, and coffee mugs.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 29 July 2023
Here's what the latest mock drafts forecast for them.
—Indystar Sports, The Indianapolis Star, 19 June 2023
Tigers make things easy Leading into the draft, multiple mocks had Langford going as the No. 1 overall pick to the Pirates.
—R.j. Coyle, Dallas News, 10 July 2023
King has Robinson going No. 8 overall on Thursday to the Atlanta Falcons in his latest NFL mock draft.
—Richard Obert, The Arizona Republic, 25 Apr. 2023
That will lead to another exchange of information, but Jeremiah typically stays true to his final mock.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2023
Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 15 Nov. 2023
His mock feud with fellow plastic surgeons Richard Brown and Christian Subbio has gone viral in aesthetics circles.
—Jolene Edgar, Allure, 15 Nov. 2023
The mini dress, with its mock neck and asymmetrical hemline, is a piece from Dolce & Gabbana’s spring 1996 collection.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 6 Nov. 2023
The Gap Rib Midi Sweater Dress elevates the iconic silhouette even more with a mock neckline and side slits.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 31 Oct. 2023
They were pistol-whipped, cut with knives, shocked with stun guns, made to kneel for mock executions.
—James Verini Paolo Pellegrin, New York Times, 1 Nov. 2023
Additionally, the dress is made from a thick rib material that is soft and warm without being too chunky and oversized, as well as a mock neck that adds an elevated touch.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 31 Oct. 2023
Cameras caught Usyk, who was ringside, with his fingers on his forehead, in a gesture of mock alarm, or maybe the real thing.
—Kelefa Sanneh, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2023
To teach the people how to vote, the authorities organize a mock election, but the locals seem unconvinced.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 26 Oct. 2023
Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2023
And though Tyler ditched the bellhop costume quickly, he was soon replaced by the anonymous character of a fisherman in a bright yellow raincoat who was responsible for holding up a backdrop as Tyler set sail -- and, of course, mock-mopping up the water on the dock once Tyler returned to land.
—Billboard, 31 July 2021
Alwyn begins mock-pulling at his cheeks and widening his eyes at any talk of said face.
—Vulture, 9 May 2022
Perhaps most famously, Mr. Remy and Orsillo, in between convulsions of laughter, mock-analyzed an incident in which one fan in the Fenway stands threw a slice of pizza at another in April 2007.
—BostonGlobe.com, 31 Oct. 2021
Clifford looked at him mock-sternly, channelling Diana.
—Anna Russell, The New Yorker, 8 June 2020
Stokes continued, mock yelling in a West Hollywood hotel.
—Ariana Romero, refinery29.com, 20 Apr. 2020
But as the conflict in the country dragged on for years, the banner became a symbol over which critics would mock Bush.
—John Gage, Washington Examiner, 16 Mar. 2020
The included photo of the model/mock up of this case is close but not exact.
—Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 26 Feb. 2020
See More
Verb
Behind the scenes, however, the malicious payload was not only intruding into some of the developer’s most private moments, but silently mocking the developer in source code comments at the same time.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 8 Nov. 2023
At the time of the infamous case, Donald Trump called on the state of New York to reinstate the death penalty in a newspaper ad, a call Salaam mocked during his council campaign.
—Melissa Noel, Essence, 8 Nov. 2023
Chetrit seems to be mocking our desire for self-exposure without actually divulging much.
—Chris Wiley, The New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2023
After Dorinda, 58, seemingly mocks Kelly, 55, the ladies are hurling disses at each other left and right.
—Dory Jackson, Peoplemag, 5 Nov. 2023
The phrase refers to mocking exchanges between then-candidate Trump and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio on the campaign trail in 2016, when Rubio, also a presidential hopeful, jokingly claimed Trump had disproportionately small hands as an insult to his anatomy.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 1 Nov. 2023
Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter) posted remarks earlier this month mocking Ukrainian president Vlodymr Zelensky that were met with a flood of support and enthusiasm from Russian trolls and accounts distributing pro-Russia propaganda.
—WIRED, 28 Oct. 2023
The former Trump aide, who openly mocked the election claims in the weeks following the vote, ultimately agreed with government assessments that the 2020 election was one of the most secure in the nation’s history.
—Edith Olmsted, The New Republic, 26 Oct. 2023
Trump mocked the 5 1/2 years McCain spent as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2023
Noun
This year’s list of grant recipients includes middle school mock trials and a gardening club, as well as an elementary school financial literacy program and social justice club.
—John Benson, cleveland, 8 Sep. 2023
The beef roll, the heavy mock stitching, the large tongue, and the squat heel are all fundamental penny loafer features.
—Brad Lanphear, Men's Health, 8 Sep. 2023
High school mock trial teams have eight weeks to prepare for a case before it is tried.
—Thomas Goodwin Smith, Baltimore Sun, 19 July 2023
There’s a mock Devlin Macgregor Pharmaceuticals website that sells Provasic T-shirts, hats, golf shirts, and coffee mugs.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 29 July 2023
Here's what the latest mock drafts forecast for them.
—Indystar Sports, The Indianapolis Star, 19 June 2023
Tigers make things easy Leading into the draft, multiple mocks had Langford going as the No. 1 overall pick to the Pirates.
—R.j. Coyle, Dallas News, 10 July 2023
King has Robinson going No. 8 overall on Thursday to the Atlanta Falcons in his latest NFL mock draft.
—Richard Obert, The Arizona Republic, 25 Apr. 2023
That will lead to another exchange of information, but Jeremiah typically stays true to his final mock.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2023
Adjective
The pleating in the pants and the lines in the half-zip sweater give this set a super elevated look, while the oversized mock neck is both useful (zip it up for warmth) and just plain stylish.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 15 Nov. 2023
His mock feud with fellow plastic surgeons Richard Brown and Christian Subbio has gone viral in aesthetics circles.
—Jolene Edgar, Allure, 15 Nov. 2023
The mini dress, with its mock neck and asymmetrical hemline, is a piece from Dolce & Gabbana’s spring 1996 collection.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 6 Nov. 2023
The Gap Rib Midi Sweater Dress elevates the iconic silhouette even more with a mock neckline and side slits.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 31 Oct. 2023
They were pistol-whipped, cut with knives, shocked with stun guns, made to kneel for mock executions.
—James Verini Paolo Pellegrin, New York Times, 1 Nov. 2023
Additionally, the dress is made from a thick rib material that is soft and warm without being too chunky and oversized, as well as a mock neck that adds an elevated touch.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 31 Oct. 2023
Cameras caught Usyk, who was ringside, with his fingers on his forehead, in a gesture of mock alarm, or maybe the real thing.
—Kelefa Sanneh, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2023
To teach the people how to vote, the authorities organize a mock election, but the locals seem unconvinced.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 26 Oct. 2023
Adverb
Sports Sam Farmer’s crystal ball: NFL mock draft 2.0 after big trade for top pick April 3, 2023 Stafford passed for only 10 touchdowns, with eight interceptions, as the Rams produced the worst performance by a defending Super Bowl champion in league history.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2023
And though Tyler ditched the bellhop costume quickly, he was soon replaced by the anonymous character of a fisherman in a bright yellow raincoat who was responsible for holding up a backdrop as Tyler set sail -- and, of course, mock-mopping up the water on the dock once Tyler returned to land.
—Billboard, 31 July 2021
Alwyn begins mock-pulling at his cheeks and widening his eyes at any talk of said face.
—Vulture, 9 May 2022
Perhaps most famously, Mr. Remy and Orsillo, in between convulsions of laughter, mock-analyzed an incident in which one fan in the Fenway stands threw a slice of pizza at another in April 2007.
—BostonGlobe.com, 31 Oct. 2021
Clifford looked at him mock-sternly, channelling Diana.
—Anna Russell, The New Yorker, 8 June 2020
Stokes continued, mock yelling in a West Hollywood hotel.
—Ariana Romero, refinery29.com, 20 Apr. 2020
But as the conflict in the country dragged on for years, the banner became a symbol over which critics would mock Bush.
—John Gage, Washington Examiner, 16 Mar. 2020
The included photo of the model/mock up of this case is close but not exact.
—Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 26 Feb. 2020
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb, Noun, Adjective, and Adverb
Middle English, from moker
First Known Use
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
1548, in the meaning defined above
Adverb
circa 1625, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of mock was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing mock
Dictionary Entries Near mock
Cite this Entry
“Mock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mock. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
mock
1 of 3 verb
ˈmäk 
ˈmȯk
1
: to treat with scorn : ridicule
mocked his ideas
2
: defy sense 2
don't mock the rules
3
: to make fun of by mimicking
mocker
noun
mock
2 of 3 noun1
: an act of mocking : jeer
2
: someone or something that is made fun of
mock
3 of 3 adjective
: not real : imitation
More from Merriam-Webster on mock
Nglish: Translation of mock for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of mock for Arabic Speakers
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