ridicule

1 of 2

noun

rid·​i·​cule ˈri-də-ˌkyül 
Synonyms of ridicule
: the act of ridiculing : derision, mockery

ridicule

2 of 2

verb

ridiculed; ridiculing

transitive verb

: to make fun of
ridiculer noun

Synonyms of ridicule

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Noun

Verb

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Choose the Right Synonym for ridicule

ridicule, deride, mock, taunt mean to make an object of laughter of.

ridicule implies a deliberate often malicious belittling.

consistently ridiculed everything she said

deride suggests contemptuous and often bitter ridicule.

derided their efforts to start their own business

mock implies scorn often ironically expressed as by mimicry or sham deference.

the other kids mocked the way he laughed

taunt suggests jeeringly provoking insult or challenge.

hometown fans taunted the visiting team

Examples of ridicule in a Sentence

Noun She didn't show anyone her artwork for fear of ridicule. the early efforts by the suffragists to obtain voting rights for women were met with ridicule Verb The other kids ridiculed him for the way he dressed. They ridiculed all of her suggestions.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
While returning to Southern California brought the Bruins’ starting quarterback closer to his roots and family, the social media ridicule chased him cross-country, targeting not just him, but his parents too. — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Trump was awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize before the tournament began, a decision which triggered widespread ridicule across the world. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
Beloved by younger fans who remember the sneaker’s original 2013 release, the style is sometimes ridiculed by purists, but that doesn’t make its inclusion any less valid. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 18 Aug. 2026 Perhaps the biggest challenge is the infrastructure required to ensure there are no major glitches — which have led to ridicule for the company when they’ve been posted to social media. — Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ridicule

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French or Latin; French, from Latin ridiculum jest

First Known Use

Noun

1675, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1680, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ridicule was in 1675

Phrases Containing ridicule

Rhymes for ridicule

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Browse Nearby Words

ridgy
ridicule
ridiculer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ridicule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ridicule. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ridicule

1 of 2 noun
rid·​i·​cule ˈrid-ə-ˌkyü(ə)l 
: the act of making fun of someone or something : derision

ridicule

2 of 2 verb
ridiculed; ridiculing
: to make fun of : deride
ridiculer noun
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