ridicule 1 of 2

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

ridicule

2 of 2

verb

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

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 ridicule
Noun
Preeti faces ridicule and exclusion from her Indian community for defying her husband’s abuse and for her connection with Jackson. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 22 May 2025 There’s an easier target for Jake’s lazy but keen-eyed ridicule. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 17 May 2025
Verb
Snarky memes started pouring onto the messaging app Telegram, ridiculing Vladimir Putin and his hapless air defense system. Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 8 June 2025 The piece also ridiculed an East Coast reporter who alleged that no one eats loquats in Southern California. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for ridicule
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ridicule
Noun
  • Officials arrested the 55-year-old on Saturday after a Missouri judge held her in contempt of court for dodging court orders regarding $224,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs owed to PETA.
    Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2025
  • The series of photos — and a follow-up Valentine's Day post — were not well-received by Arroyo, who told PEOPLE that Rossi and Smiley barely saw Grayson and all there have been eight contempt of court orders over the years.
    Kayla Grant, People.com, 18 July 2025
Verb
  • He was previously mocked on social media during a loss to Austin Peay in November, when the Fox College Hoops broadcast showed Clark sitting in the stands.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2025
  • The longtime litigator mocked the Mexican president's response.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 18 July 2025
Noun
  • Nearby residents include Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen, Dan Aykroyd, and John Kerry — as well as another Epstein associate, Alan Dershowitz, who has faced great disdain at the local library.
    Kim Velsey, Curbed, 16 July 2025
  • Back in June, Offerman responded to conservative media figure Michael Flynn Jr., who used a gif of Ron throwing a computer in a dumpster in a Parks and Rec episode to symbolize his disdain for Pride Month.
    Victoria Edel, People.com, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • In this case, the assertion this month by the Justice Department and the FBI that the Epstein case was over and done with was met by derision and disbelief among some of the president's most loyal supporters.
    USA Today, USA Today, 20 July 2025
  • His inconsistent fitness has been a source of derision and criticism.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Downtown Parkway, Gatlinburg, Tennessee Walking Gatlinburg’s Downtown Parkway is a full-body sensory experience: sweet smells, bright colors, and the soundtrack of bluegrass, rushing water, and laughter.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 21 July 2025
  • Where once there were lawsuits and silence, there is now muscle memory, laughter, a chord progression rediscovered over coffee.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ridicule.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ridicule. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.

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