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
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 ridiculeVerb
The other kids ridiculed him for the way he dressed.
They ridiculed all of her suggestions.
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Noun
Instagram, Snapchat, Roblox, and other platforms have rolled out their own protections, following much ridicule over the dangers of apps.—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 30 July 2025 Online discussions veer between judgement, analysis, support and ridicule.—Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 12 July 2025
Verb
The rapper also allegedly called Gables a homophobic slur and ridiculed his poor hearing.—Mekishana Pierre Published, EW.com, 8 Aug. 2025 At a time when much of the media is bowing to Trump, the opening of the show’s new season ridiculed his megalomania, his intimidation of the media and his manhood.—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ridicule
Word History
Etymology
Noun
French or Latin; French, from Latin ridiculum jest
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