mock 1 of 3

verb

ˈmäk How to pronounce mock (audio)
Definition of mocknext
1
as in to parody
to copy or exaggerate (someone or something) in order to make fun of team members good-naturedly mocked the coach's familiar bellow

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2
as in to ridicule
to make (someone or something) the object of unkind laughter the fashion gurus loved to mock the famous couple for their unsophisticated clothes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to disobey
to go against the commands, prohibitions, or rules of a person willing to mock the religious prohibition against working on the Sabbath

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mock

2 of 3

adjective

1
as in faux
being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials mock turtle soup

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2
as in fake
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality since I had inadvertently learned what I was getting, I opened the present with mock surprise

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mock

3 of 3

noun

1
as in joke
a person or thing that is made fun of they made a mock of the new recruit in front of the whole unit

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2
as in copy
something that is made to look exactly like something else obviously, the "priceless" Grecian urn that is destroyed in the movie was a mock

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word mock distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of mock are ape, copy, imitate, and mimic. While all these words mean "to make something so that it resembles an existing thing," mock usually implies imitation with derision.

mocking a vain man's pompous manner

When is ape a more appropriate choice than mock?

The synonyms ape and mock are sometimes interchangeable, but ape may suggest presumptuous, slavish, or inept imitating of a superior original.

American fashion designers aped their European colleagues

When would copy be a good substitute for mock?

While the synonyms copy and mock are close in meaning, copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible.

copied the painting and sold the fake as an original

Where would imitate be a reasonable alternative to mock?

Although the words imitate and mock have much in common, imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation.

imitate a poet's style

When is it sensible to use mimic instead of mock?

While in some cases nearly identical to mock, mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation.

pupils mimicking their teacher

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mock
Verb
This creates a vicious cycle where shame is a currency, and the only person who actually pays a price is the one who is mocked. —Eli Thompson, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2025 Some are clearly ironic, but the line between blind devotion and mocking derision is seriously mangled. —Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Continue reading … KEEPS ON GIVING – Joe Rogan and Andrew Schulz mock Harris' claim of people calling her most qualified presidential candidate. —FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025 Well, this mock neck zipped jacket is a far more flattering, wearable option that’s currently sporting a $20 price tag and a full range of sizes. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
Stewart also satirically brought up how clearly just the left mocks tragedy — and then showed clips including one of Donald Trump Jr. making fun of Paul Pelosi being bludgeoned by a hammer, as well as Fox News’ Paul Hegseth and Rachel Campos-Duffy doing the same. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025 The hilarious results propel the new mock doc, which find Tufnel running a cheese shop, St. Hubbins piddling around his home studio and Smalls staffing a glue museum. —Marco Della Cava, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mock
  1. parody
  2. ridicule
  3. disobey
  4. faux
  5. fake
  6. joke
  7. copy
  8. imitate
Verb
  • This Halloween, the two-time Emmy Award-winning host is paying tribute to scary singles by parodying popular television dating shows of the past — and dressing as their male hosts.
    — Lex Goldstein, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Newsom has been trying to raise his national profile, adopting a combative style that parodies Trump’s social media strategy with similar all-caps posts, memes and merchandise.
    — Adriana Gomez Licon, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
Definition of parody
Verb
  • Many skilled bartenders seem to scorn the Bloody Mary, regarding it as unserious and lightweight, just as many in the food world loathe brunch, the meal most often associated with the Bloody Mary, or wine people ridicule Sancerre, seeing it as a fallback order for people who know little about wine.
    — The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Evidently the Miami Dolphins didn’t like being mocked and ridiculed all week, nationally by the football media and at home by their own angry fans.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Definition of ridicule
Verb
  • Harvick said the agency gave lawful orders for the crowd to move back, which were disobeyed.
    — Daniella Silva, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025
  • In Missouri, disobeying traffic lights is considered a moving violation.
    — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2025
Definition of disobey
Adjective
  • Add texture to beds, couches, and chairs with a plush faux rabbit fur throw blanket, incorporate a pop of color with a throw pillow, and dress up your walls with practical floating shelves or sconces.
    — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Few pieces of decor are as dreamy as the ones covered in faux fur, and this shaggy beanbag chair is no exception.
    — Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 30 Oct. 2025
Definition of faux
Adjective
  • Cybercriminals often use fake promotional emails or ads that look like real store offers.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
  • The cohost brought up the astronaut during a discussion of Kim Kardashian's claim that the moon landing was fake.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Nov. 2025
Definition of fake
Noun
  • Expect conversations that catch you off-guard, and jokes that turn into shocking revelations.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The Special Olympics are not amused after Kid Rock used an ableist slur while making a joke in a recent Fox News interview.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
Definition of joke
Noun
  • Following the lead from state officials to raise recruitment numbers, the department lowered its physical requirements to join the academy, according to copies of the standards from 2016 and 2024.
    — David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Nov. 2025
  • As part of the rental agreement's 75-year term, Prince Andrew and his family were previously allowed to remain at the Royal Lodge until 2078, according to a copy of the lease obtained by USA TODAY.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Definition of copy
Verb
  • Tribeca Festival Lisboa programmer Fabio Martins sees originality and emotional truth going further to help Portuguese filmmakers reach international audiences than imitating popular trends in global cinema.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Maybe that was just art-making imitating life.
    — Thomas Page, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Definition of imitate

Browse Nearby Words

moccasins
mock
mocked
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Cite this Entry

“Mock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mock. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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