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Definitions

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.

But negative perceptions took hold through the year and into 2025, starting with the ridicule the vehicle’s boxy design attracted on the street.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

In a theatrical culture where queer-coded characters were frequently played for ridicule, Bhaduri's work carried a different weight.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

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 • Feb. 12, 2026

She heads to an unnamed city in the south of Europe, where her garish clothes draw ridicule.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

As Dad and Mother, dressed in dusters and wearing goggles, went scorching through the streets of Boston, bystanders tossed insults and ridicule in their direction.

From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

Vocabulary lists containing ridicule

List 6

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English Words Derived from French, List 1

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Excerpt from "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer"

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