as in fooling
Related Words
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ridiculing
Matthew Smith, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2025
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
Verb
By the 1830s, politicians had stopped ridiculing America’s growing canal system.
—Matthew Smith, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ridiculing
Adjective
-
To get a sense of his whole deal, look no further than the half-mocking, half-earnest title of his latest album, Country!—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Earlier that day, Minaj had posted derisive comments about Roc Nation, suggesting the company had unsuccessfully tried to sign her.—
Andrew Flanagan,
Variety,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Spokespeople turned away media requests for such information with a derisive laugh.—
Ron Kampeas,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Just kidding, that’s next Sunday.—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
-
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
-
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
-
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 5 Nov. 2025.
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