Synonyms of deride

deride 1 of 3

verb (1)

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approve
• endorse
• commend
• applaud
• sanction

deriding

2 of 3

adjective

as in mocking

Related Words

• mocking
• ridiculing
• derisive
• baiting
• taunting
• heckling
• needling
• jeering
• derisory
• hassling
• sarcastic
• scornful
• contemptuous
• bandying
• joking
• quipping
• rallying
• kidding
• bantering
• razzing
• fooling
• disdainful
• jesting
• quizzical
• joshing
• ribbing
• funning
• chaffing

deriding

3 of 3

verb (2)

present participle of deride

as in ridiculing

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

• ridiculing
• mocking
• taunting
• jeering
• teasing
• parodying
• skewering
• scouting
• gibing
• laughing (at)
• making fun of
• poking fun at
• making sport of
• imitating
• ragging on
• disparaging
• scorning
• shooting down
• belittling
• harassing
• tormenting
• decrying
• targeting
• cocking snooks (at)
• cocking a snook (at)
• razzing
• sneering (at)
• quizzing
• satirizing
• mimicking
• scoffing (at)
• bad-mouthing
• pestering
• caricaturing
• lampooning
• twitting
• aping
• pooh-poohing
• baiting
• parroting
• pillorying
• kidding
• riding
• heckling
• ribbing
• rallying
• ragging
• joshing
• harrying
• jiving
• bugging
• hassling
• tweaking
• needling
• burlesquing
• chaffing
• taking off (on)
• catcalling
• barracking
• putting down
• travestying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approving
• endorsing
• commending
• applauding
• sanctioning

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

Verb

Some fans have derided the breaks for turning soccer from a game played in two halves to one played in four quarters. — Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 June 2026

Though financially successful, Scott's medieval historical epic about the events leading up to the Third Crusade and the complex relationship between Christians and Muslims was derided by critics, many of whom struggled with the fractured narrative and convoluted character arcs. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026

Verb

Trump’s individual attacks followed a blanket statement deriding all four podcast hosts. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026

Ye has attracted controversy in recent years over his comments deriding both Jewish and Black people, but is seemingly attempting a comeback. — Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!