ridicule

1 of 2

noun

rid·​i·​cule ˈri-də-ˌkyül How to pronounce ridicule (audio)
: the act of ridiculing : derision, mockery

ridicule

2 of 2

verb

ridiculed; ridiculing

transitive verb

: to make fun of
ridiculer noun
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
The Times and French outlets AFP and BFM TV reported that the woman, identified only as Anne, spoke to French television outlet TF1, which has since removed the interview from its website after a flood of online ridicule sparked by the report. Liam Quinn, People.com, 14 Jan. 2025 For some commenters, the posts incite fervent ridicule; others are amazed and even inspired. Natasha Frost, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
And if the Jaguars do not pull themselves out of the AFC South abyss, owner Shad Khan will be ridiculed for letting a guy with a skimpy resume have a huge say in picking the team’s next general manager. John Romano, Orlando Sentinel, 25 Jan. 2025 Through cute memes and witty jokes, both groups ridiculed the TikTok ban. Jianqing Chen, The Conversation, 19 Jan. 2025 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

Dictionary Entries Near ridicule

Cite this Entry

“Ridicule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ridicule. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

ridicule

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

ridicule

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

More from Merriam-Webster on ridicule

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