as in contempt
the making of unkind jokes as a way of showing one's scorn for someone or something
the early efforts by the suffragists to obtain voting rights for women were met with ridicule
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to mock
to make (someone or something) the object of unkind laughter
the term "big bang theory" was originally coined to ridicule the belief that the universe was created by a giant explosion
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ridicule
Michael Cox, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Internal rivalries, theoretical disputes, and public ridicule repeatedly tested the group.
—Shannon Taggart, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Meg Kinnard, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
And for that, he was ridiculed.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ridicule
Noun
Last week, a post on X went viral — through ridicule rather than respect, as is generally the way.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Internal rivalries, theoretical disputes, and public ridicule repeatedly tested the group.
—Shannon Taggart, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
The move was ridiculed by lawyers outside Paul Weiss, and more than 140 alums of the firm signed a letter assailing it as well.
—Meg Kinnard, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
And for that, he was ridiculed.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ridicule
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ridicule
Noun
-
The full House was on the verge of voting on the contempt resolution, which was expected to pass with bipartisan support, when the Clintons agreed to the committee's terms to appear.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
In accordance with the film’s main theme of toxic white colonialism, Kennedy treats Philomac with contempt but shows a weird fealty to Casey.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
At one point, ref Michael Oliver takes pleasure in mocking a poor first touch from Conor Gallagher, which the Tottenham midfielder takes in good humour.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
That one of the bartenders in New Orleans reportedly mocked him by referencing Holes to THRfeels like something right out of that movie.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There’s an absurdity and abstraction to the whole affair that affords us a peek into the minds and egos of those who run the modern world, not to mention some tongue-in-cheek disdain nestled within surprising sympathy.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
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Trump’s disdain for international alliances and norms has also begun to reshape Europe in a way that may exacerbate Russia’s weakness.—
Alan Cullison,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As the years went on, many challenges were increasingly viewed with derision, including a photo shoot in which contestants were made up to be different races and another in which a contestant whose mother had been shot and paralyzed was made to pose as a gunshot victim.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Martin’s decision to bury the DNC’s findings invited suspicion and derision.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The remark drew applause and laughter from the black-tie audience.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The way my voice would change when someone answered, and the endless laughter.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ridicule.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ridicule. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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