Synonyms of ridicule

ridicule 1 of 2

noun

ˈri-də-ˌkyül 

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

• contempt
• disdain
• derision
• laughter
• insult
• mockery
• scorn
• satire
• sport
• disparagement
• caricature
• belittlement
• deprecation
• mimicry
• snickering
• burlesque
• catcall
• put-down
• pasquinade

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approval
• praise
• applause
• commendation

ridicule

2 of 2

verb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ridicule distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of ridicule are deride, mock, and taunt. While all these words mean "to make an object of laughter of," ridicule implies a deliberate often malicious belittling.

consistently ridiculed everything she said

When is deride a more appropriate choice than ridicule?

The meanings of deride and ridicule largely overlap; however, deride suggests contemptuous and often bitter ridicule.

derided their efforts to start their own business

In what contexts can mock take the place of ridicule?

The words mock and ridicule are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mock implies scorn often ironically expressed as by mimicry or sham deference.

youngsters began to mock the helpless wino

When is it sensible to use taunt instead of ridicule?

While the synonyms taunt and ridicule are close in meaning, taunt suggests jeeringly provoking insult or challenge.

hometown fans taunted the visiting team

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ridicule

Noun

As performative men become more a target of ridicule, these men will inevitably either drop the act or pick up a new one. —Charles Trepany, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025

The Bruins have looked overmatched in all three games, with conference play still ahead, and prompted ridicule from media, the Pac-12, their former conference, and even the Big Sky Conference. —Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025

Verb

Using simple yet incandescent prose, Paine renounced, repudiated and ridiculed at a clip seldom witnessed in print before or since. —Matthew Redmond, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025

Sullivan says Harrigan harmed her personal and professional reputation, and exposed her to ridicule, hatred, contempt, and safety threats. —Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2025