as in deriding
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in fooling
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ridiculing
Chandelis Duster, NPR, 5 Oct. 2025
Shortly after dropping the album art on Instagram, social media was flooded with disappointed fans ridiculing the cover.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
Killer Mike has apologized to Steph Curry and the NBA star’s wife, Ayesha Curry, following his comments reacting to a TikTok video ridiculing Ayesha.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 1 Oct. 2025
Trump has also criticized President Obama’s Nobel Prize, ridiculing it during a 2020 rally.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Bianco has repeatedly made public comments ridiculing the relatives of the dead.
—Christopher Damien, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
At times, Phillips’ dialogue seems to be ridiculing his screenplay’s own improbability and sloppy logic gaps, as well as the genre itself.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 23 Dec. 2024
The post was met with accounts celebrating the withdrawal and ridiculing past decisions.
—Sara Dorn, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
But instead of reciprocating, Lila told him to get away from her and started ridiculing him.
—Krista Stevens, Longreads, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
The show opened with a skit mocking Hegseth, portrayed by comedian Colin Jost, ridiculing the Defense Secretary's address to military leaders in Quantico, Virginia, last week.
—Chandelis Duster, NPR, 5 Oct. 2025
Shortly after dropping the album art on Instagram, social media was flooded with disappointed fans ridiculing the cover.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
Killer Mike has apologized to Steph Curry and the NBA star’s wife, Ayesha Curry, following his comments reacting to a TikTok video ridiculing Ayesha.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 1 Oct. 2025
Trump has also criticized President Obama’s Nobel Prize, ridiculing it during a 2020 rally.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Bianco has repeatedly made public comments ridiculing the relatives of the dead.
—Christopher Damien, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
At times, Phillips’ dialogue seems to be ridiculing his screenplay’s own improbability and sloppy logic gaps, as well as the genre itself.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 23 Dec. 2024
The post was met with accounts celebrating the withdrawal and ridiculing past decisions.
—Sara Dorn, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
But instead of reciprocating, Lila told him to get away from her and started ridiculing him.
—Krista Stevens, Longreads, 5 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ridiculing
Verb
-
Katherine del Rio took to social media to post, then delete, a couple of Instagram Stories mocking Leah Lewis following the incident on the set of the CBS drama.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
10 Oct. 2025
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It has also been used as a derogatory term, mocking immigrant culture in Lima during the mass migrations of Indigenous Andean people to Lima in the 20th century.—
NPR,
NPR,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Spokespeople turned away media requests for such information with a derisive laugh.—
Ron Kampeas,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Sep. 2025
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While speaking to Jay Shetty on his podcast On Purpose in an episode released Wednesday, Watson spoke about the personal, derisive comments Rowling has made against her.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them.,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Just kidding; Angie is using this as an opportunity to go after Lisa.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Esiason's ribbing comes after a recent lighthearted back-and-forth between Waldman and Dave Sims, the play-by-play voice of the Bronx Bombers.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
9 Oct. 2025
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The length has been shortened to create a boxy silhouette and the ribbing at the hem was adjusted for a stronger tension.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Vice President Vance appeared on FOX News Channel’s The Ingraham Angle hours after the heckling incident, telling the host about visiting with the national guardsmen and discussing recent changes to the city, while briefly mentioning the protesters.—
Jillian Frankel,
People.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ridiculing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ridiculing. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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