mockery
noun
mock·ery
ˈmä-k(ə-)rē 
ˈmȯ-
plural mockeries
1
: insulting or contemptuous action or speech : derision
laying himself open to the jeers and mockeries of his rebellious subjects—
E. A. Freeman
E. A. Freeman2
: a subject of laughter, derision, or sport
making him turn himself into a merry mockery of all he had once held dear—O. St. John Gogarty
O. St. John Gogarty3
a
: a counterfeit appearance : imitation
if it was not a man it was a huge and grotesque mockery of man—E. R. Burroughs
E. R. Burroughs
b
: an insincere, contemptible, or impertinent (see impertinent sense 1a) imitation
makes a mockery of justice
4
: something ridiculously or impudently (see impudent sense 1) unsuitable
in her bitterness she felt that all rejoicing was mockery—George Eliot
George Eliot
Synonyms
Examples of mockery in a Sentence
His kind of personality invites mockery.
the children's cruel mockery of each other
Recent Examples on the Web
Squid Game And The Death Of Satire The most common criticism of Squid Game: The Challenge is that its very existence makes a mockery of the original message.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
In schools, a green bubble is an invitation for mockery and exclusion by children with iPhones, according to Common Sense Media, a nonprofit that focuses on technology’s impact on families.
—Brian X. Chen, New York Times, 29 Nov. 2023
To violate either one - in any way - not only makes a mockery of the profession, but is a disservice to players, coaches and, most importantly, to fans.
—Christopher Brito, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2023
His biggest ideas have all blown up in his face: An $8 monthly subscription fee for a blue check that verified users then needed the option of hiding to avoid mockery.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 5 Oct. 2023
In the years since the end of World War II, Italians have seen dozens of governments rise and fall, the state of their politics often subjected to gentle ribbing if not outright mockery on the international stage.
—Emily Langer, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2023
That dichotomy has many in Pakistan criticizing the country’s politicking military, with journalist Taha Siddiqui saying that the army’s interference has made a mockery of Pakistan’s political and judicial systems.
—Hasan Ali, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Oct. 2023
His eyebrows were twin carets, inserting pleasure or gentle mockery into a scene.
—Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2023
After the trial, which produced reams of journalistic mockery of conservative religion, prominent fundamentalists like Bob Jones Sr. decided that America needed a new kind of educational institution, one free from the influence of mainstream academic expertise.
—TIME, 11 Oct. 2023
See More
Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
In schools, a green bubble is an invitation for mockery and exclusion by children with iPhones, according to Common Sense Media, a nonprofit that focuses on technology’s impact on families.
—Brian X. Chen, New York Times, 29 Nov. 2023
To violate either one - in any way - not only makes a mockery of the profession, but is a disservice to players, coaches and, most importantly, to fans.
—Christopher Brito, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2023
His biggest ideas have all blown up in his face: An $8 monthly subscription fee for a blue check that verified users then needed the option of hiding to avoid mockery.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 5 Oct. 2023
In the years since the end of World War II, Italians have seen dozens of governments rise and fall, the state of their politics often subjected to gentle ribbing if not outright mockery on the international stage.
—Emily Langer, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2023
That dichotomy has many in Pakistan criticizing the country’s politicking military, with journalist Taha Siddiqui saying that the army’s interference has made a mockery of Pakistan’s political and judicial systems.
—Hasan Ali, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Oct. 2023
His eyebrows were twin carets, inserting pleasure or gentle mockery into a scene.
—Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2023
After the trial, which produced reams of journalistic mockery of conservative religion, prominent fundamentalists like Bob Jones Sr. decided that America needed a new kind of educational institution, one free from the influence of mainstream academic expertise.
—TIME, 11 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mockery.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of mockery was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing mockery
Dictionary Entries Near mockery
Cite this Entry
“Mockery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mockery. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
mockery
noun
mock·ery
ˈmäk-(ə-)rē
ˈmȯk-
plural mockeries
1
: insulting action or speech
2
: someone or something that is laughed at
3
: a ridiculous or poor imitation
More from Merriam-Webster on mockery
Nglish: Translation of mockery for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of mockery for Arabic Speakers
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