ridicule

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 deride, gibe (or jibe), jeer, laugh (at), mock, scout, shoot down, skewer Related Words scoff (at), scorn, sneer (at); bad-mouth, belittle, decry, disparage, pooh-pooh (also pooh), put down; chaff, jive, josh, kid, quiz, rally, razz, rib, ride, tease, tweak, twit; bait, barrack [chiefly British], bug, catcall, harass, harry, hassle, heckle, needle, pester, rag, target, taunt, torment; ape, burlesque, caricature, imitate, lampoon, mimic, parody, parrot, pillory, satirize, take off (on), travesty Phrases cock a snook (at) also cock snooks (at), make fun of, make sport of, poke fun at, rag on Near Antonyms applaud, approve, commend, endorse (also indorse), sanction