ridicules

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 chaff comeback dig disparagement farce foolery gibe irony jab leer needling persiflage put-on raillery rally razz rib roast slam sneer swipe travesty

WEAK

mordancy parting shot putdown 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 pan 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 laughing-stock make fun of poke fun at pull one's leg put down rail at raz 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.

The premise is simple — Scorsese, perfectionist filmmaker, mercilessly ridicules the photos he took of his nephew’s birthday party — but it’s his deadpan performance that really sells the joke.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 6, 2025

When Harris doubts or ridicules his stature, his wealth, the size of his crowds, or whatever, he feels compelled to fight back and restore his eminent centrality at once.

From Slate • Sep. 11, 2024

Libii’s story underlines the self-negation involved in the trope of the title and ridicules the expectations and constraints forced upon Black people in myriad ways.

From New York Times • Mar. 15, 2024

It adds that taking disciplinary action against women for a menopause related-absence could amount to discrimination, and that language that ridicules someone's symptoms could constitute harassment.

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2024

However, the medical community ridicules him for the effort, and he’s never able to repeat his success.

From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti