ridicule

1 of 2

noun

rid·​i·​cule ˈri-də-ˌkyül 

: the act of ridiculing : derision, mockery

ridicule

2 of 2

verb

ridiculed; ridiculing

transitive verb

: to make fun of

ridiculer noun

Synonyms of ridicule

Noun

• 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

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

Our idols were allowed to either be good girls—militantly wholesome and seemingly virginal—or train wrecks, unmoored and wild, and thus subjected to a litany of bullying and ridicule for their actions. —Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2026

The interlude took only a minute or two but received outsize attention—and ridicule—as an example of how Democrats remain overly concerned with performative pandering to various small identity groups. —Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026

Verb

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was ridiculed by the British media, criticized for defending his friendship with Epstein and accused of failing to convey empathy for Epstein's victims. —Nbc News, NBC news, 19 Feb. 2026

Comedian and talk show host Jimmy Failla ridiculed Ocasio-Cortez about the Venezuela error, while also making fun of her claims about being from the Bronx. —Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 17 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French or Latin; French, from Latin ridiculum jest

First Known Use

Noun

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