: the act of making fun of someone or something in a cruel or harsh way : harsh comments made by people who are laughing at someone or something
She didn't show anyone her artwork for fear of ridicule.
He was a subject/object of ridicule to his coworkers. [=he was ridiculed by his coworkers]
They held him up to (public) ridicule. [=they made fun of him publicly]
ridicules; ridiculed; ridiculing
: to laugh at and make jokes about (someone or something) in a cruel or harsh way : to make fun of (someone or something)
The other kids ridiculed him for the way he dressed.
They ridiculed all of her suggestions.
Cite this Entry
“Ridicule.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/ridicule. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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