mocks; mocked; mocking
1
: to laugh at or make fun of (someone or something) especially by copying an action or a way of behaving or speaking
The boys mocked him for showing fear.
They mocked his cries for help. [=they imitated his cries for help in an exaggerated way that was meant to ridicule him]
Other children would mock her accent. [=would make fun of the way she spoke by copying it in an exaggerated way]
2
: to criticize and laugh at (someone or something) for being bad, worthless, or unimportant
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.
always used before a noun
1
: not based on real or honest feelings
"I'd love to go," he said with a mock [=feigned, fake] smile.
We stared at him in mock surprise.
mock anger
2
: done or performed to look like the real thing
Two boys started a mock [=simulated] fight in the hallway.
Every summer, our history club performs mock battles to relive our country's greatest war.
a mock trial [=a fake legal trial used for education and practice]
a mock election
plural mocks
British
: an exam that does not count and that is done to practice for a real exam : a mock exam
—usually plural
He did so well on the mocks that I'm sure he'll pass the real ones.
Cite this Entry
“Mock.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/mock. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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