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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
FOXNews.com, 6 June 2025
Both fan bases will be hoping for a reprieve from the ridicule.
—Alex Tabet, NBC news, 20 May 2025
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 13 June 2025
Such sarcasm ridicules six-figure tuition, room, and board.
—Michael Serazio, Time, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ridicule
Noun
Fetterman slams Dems for suddenly embracing Elon Musk after months of ridicule.
—FOXNews.com, 6 June 2025
Both fan bases will be hoping for a reprieve from the ridicule.
—Alex Tabet, NBC news, 20 May 2025
Verb
Newsom has ridiculed Trump for referring to that call happening days later.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 13 June 2025
Such sarcasm ridicules six-figure tuition, room, and board.
—Michael Serazio, Time, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ridicule
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ridicule
Noun
-
And to date, the Republican majority, which has subpoena power, which has the ability to move bills to the floor, which has the ability to hold administration officials in contempt, has shown precisely zero interest in doing that.—
Michel Martin,
NPR,
24 June 2025
-
Violating the terms of a gang injunction could land someone in contempt of court, a misdemeanor that carries up to a six-month sentence.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
24 June 2025
Verb
-
And of course, that following Sunday, Oliver did indeed mock his corporate bosses for the move.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
8 July 2025
-
Many wanted Tiger to comment, but others chose to mock Williams.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 July 2025
Noun
-
In speeches and interviews as health secretary, Kennedy has made clear his disdain for mainstream autism research, brushing aside the insights gained for this tremendously complex condition through years of research.—
Caren Zucker,
The Atlantic,
6 July 2025
-
Mason's family murmured their disdain from the back of the courtroom while Broadwell addressed her.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
Curiously, for someone who has tasked himself with explaining Manhattan’s late ‘70s downtown renaissance, Gould regards many of the key players in that scene with derision bordering on contempt.—
Marc Weingarten,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2025
-
The American novelist Kurt Vonnegut, on the other hand, was steadfast in his derision of the semicolon.—
Sara Hashemi,
Smithsonian Magazine,
17 June 2025
Noun
-
Expect laughter, reflection, and real talk that inspires.—
Essence,
Essence,
6 July 2025
-
The remark by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies to fellow New York Rep. Elise Stefanik sparked laughter and several surprised reactions from other Democrats seated in the chamber.—
Jackson Walker,
Baltimore Sun,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ridicule.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ridicule. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share