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
In 2023, Williams remained confident about his nail art despite ridicule from online trolls. Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025 In the midst of success, the famous parents have faced ridicule and been at the center of tabloid fodder. Anna Halkidis, Parents, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
Gastineau says the video has led to him being ridiculed and scorned. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2025 Both ridicule traditional masculinity and mock attempts to move away from it. Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ridicule
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ridicule
Noun
  • Trump’s contempt for legal norms and Guantánamo’s legacy of ambiguous legality are thus a fitting match, however disturbing that compatibility may be.
    Miriam Pensack, The Dial, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Franklin and Valley have appealed that contempt of court ruling to the Arkansas Supreme Court.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The ability to criticize, question, protest, and even mock those in power is foundational to what America has always aspired to be.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025
  • After the White House meeting, the president posted a cartoonish fake video mocking the Democratic leadership that was widely viewed as unserious and racist.
    Mary Clare Jalonick, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Some earlier African intellectuals looked at Black America with pity, even disdain.
    Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Monster doesn’t have answers for these questions, just a general disdain for Americans and broad observations about our own cowardice.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Ladapo’s potent derision of vaccine mandates sparked a near-instant deluge of reaction and vigorous disagreement, including from infectious disease experts.
    Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The Twitterverse was still taking shape at the time, so widespread snark and predisposition to derision was not yet pop culture’s default setting.
    Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • So aunts and uncles in Gaza would call from the beach there, allowing Kordia to share her cousins’ laughter and glimpse the waves.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
  • What was meant to be an aesthetic honeymoon video quickly sparked laughter online, when one newlywed noticed something unusual when watching back footage.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ridicule.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ridicule. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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