Definitions

make a fool of

VERB

humiliate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

confuse crush degrade demean depress disgrace humble shame snub subdue

STRONG

abase abash base blister break chagrin chasten confound conquer debase denigrate deny discomfit discountenance dishonor downplay lower mortify pan rip slam smear squash vanquish wither

WEAK

bemean bring down bring low cast down cut down to size make ashamed play down put out of countenance put to shame run down shoot down take down take down a peg tear down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

build up encourage honor praise promote release respect upgrade

STRONG

agree allow boost cherish compliment elevate fail flatter laud lose surrender yield

VERB

outwit/outsmart

Synonyms

WEAK

baffle bamboozle beat bewilder cap cheat circumvent con confuse deceive defeat defraud dupe end-run fake out finagle fox gull have hoax hoodwink lead astray make a monkey of mislead outdo outfox outgeneral outguess outjockey outmaneuver outthink overreach pull a fast one on put one over on run circles around swindle take in top trick worst

VERB

ridicule

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deride humiliate lampoon mock scoff scorn taunt

STRONG

banter caricature cartoon chaff deflate expose fleer gibe haze jape jeer jive jolly josh kid mimic needle parody pooh-pooh quiz rag rally rib ride roast satirize sneer takeoff travesty twit unmask

WEAK

laugh at make a game of make a laughingstock make fun of poke fun at pull one's leg put down rail at razz run down send up show up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

approve compliment flatter praise

STRONG

be serious

VERB

satirize

Synonyms

STRONGEST

lampoon mock parody spoof

STRONG

banter burlesque caricature cartoon deride haze humiliate jeer jive josh kid mimic needle pan rib ride roast

WEAK

caricaturize jape laugh at make fun of poke fun at pull one's leg razz

Antonyms

STRONGEST

praise

VERB

stultify

Synonyms

STRONG

mock

WEAK

make absurd make ridiculous

Antonyms

WEAK

excite

VERB

twit

Synonyms

STRONG

banter caricature cartoon chaff deride expose fleer gibe haze humiliate jape jeer jest jive jolly josh kid lampoon laugh at mimic mock needle pan parody pooh-pooh quiz rag rally rib ride roast satirize scoff scorn scout sneer take off taunt travesty

WEAK

make a game of make a laughingstock make fun of poke fun at pull one's leg put down rail at razz run down send up show up

Antonyms

STRONG

admire approve commend compliment flatter laud praise

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Once Lee had the green light from his director to make a fool of himself, he was off and running.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 18, 2025

So, when I let them down like this and when I make a fool of myself in a moment like today, yeah, I have a lot of regret.

From BBC • Jun. 15, 2025

Also, a way to make a fool of himself for no reason at all.

From Salon • Dec. 14, 2023

“If they repress, they make a fool of themselves,” he said.

From New York Times • May 22, 2023

I thought I might make a fool of myself by saying I'd have it with ice or gin or anything.

From "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath

make a fool of

Example Sentences

Related Words