Synonyms of deride

deride

verb

di-ˈrīd 

as in to ridicule

to make (someone or something) the object of unkind laughter

my brothers derided our efforts, but were forced to eat their words when we won first place

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ridicule
• mock
• jeer
• taunt
• tease
• jibe
• gibe
• laugh (at)
• parody
• make fun of
• scout
• imitate
• poke fun at
• disparage
• rag on
• make sport of
• skewer
• shoot down
• belittle
• harass
• decry
• scorn
• torment
• cock snooks (at)
• target
• cock a snook (at)
• scoff (at)
• pooh-pooh
• bad-mouth
• satirize
• mimic
• sneer (at)
• pester
• pooh
• heckle
• lampoon
• rag
• razz
• twit
• tweak
• rally
• caricature
• ride
• bait
• pillory
• jive
• needle
• rib
• ape
• kid
• bug
• put down
• take off (on)
• quiz
• parrot
• chaff
• harry
• josh
• catcall
• burlesque
• hassle
• travesty
• barrack

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approve
• endorse
• commend
• applaud
• indorse
• sanction

Synonym Chooser

How is the word deride distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of deride are mock, ridicule, and taunt. While all these words mean "to make an object of laughter of," deride suggests contemptuous and often bitter ridicule.

derided their efforts to start their own business

In what contexts can mock take the place of deride?

The words mock and deride can be used in similar contexts, but mock implies scorn often ironically expressed as by mimicry or sham deference.

youngsters began to mock the helpless wino

When can ridicule be used instead of deride?

While the synonyms ridicule and deride are close in meaning, ridicule implies a deliberate often malicious belittling.

consistently ridiculed everything she said

When might taunt be a better fit than deride?

The words taunt and deride are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, taunt suggests jeeringly provoking insult or challenge.

hometown fans taunted the visiting team

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of deride

Nottingham Forest This time last year Forest fans were derided for their lofty, seemingly unfounded levels of optimism, following two years of fighting relegation. —George Caulkin, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025

CeeDee Lamb took it a step further with a tweet deriding the pomp and circumstance surrounding the negotiations and imploring the Cowboys to sign Parsons. —Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Aug. 2025

Villeneuve has established himself as one of his generation’s great blockbuster auteurs, capable of applying a distinct artistic vision to massive studio projects based on pre-existing I.P. in an era that’s frequently derided for its formulaic output. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 31 July 2025

Those films, starring Jessica Alba and Chris Evans, were financially successful but critically derided. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 27 July 2025

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