ridicule

[rid-i-kyool] / ˈrɪd ɪˌkyul /

NOUN

contemptuous laughter at someone or something

Synonyms

STRONGEST

caricature contempt derision disdain jeer laughter mockery parody sarcasm satire scorn taunt taunting

STRONG

badinage banter buffoonery burlesque comeback dig disparagement farce foolery gibe irony jab needling persiflage put on raillery roast slam sneer swipe travesty

WEAK

mordancy parting shot put down sardonicism

Antonyms

STRONGEST

admiration approval compliment flattery love praise respect

STRONG

commendation

VERB

make contemptuous fun of something or someone

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 fool of 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

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.

Johnson has learned nothing from being widely ridiculed for this behavior.

From Salon

He attracted online ridicule in 2019 when he replied to his own social media post with: "Fantastic. Great move. Well done Angus".

From Barron's

I felt ridiculed but, I suspected, not as much as he’d have liked me to.

From Literature

But across the rest of social media, the film and its PR campaign have drawn ridicule with several internet users posting screenshots showing cinemas that have sold no seats for screenings of "Melania."

From Barron's

“In 60 years we went from having the world’s most-respected currency to being ridiculed by Warner Brothers.”

From The Wall Street Journal

ridicule

Example Sentences

Related Words