as in contempt
the making of unkind jokes as a way of showing one's scorn for someone or something
the early efforts by the suffragists to obtain voting rights for women were met with ridicule
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to mock
to make (someone or something) the object of unkind laughter
the term "big bang theory" was originally coined to ridicule the belief that the universe was created by a giant explosion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ridicule
Judy Berman,
Time,
2 June 2026
Seeing a person react with kindness and not ridicule – that’s radical at a time when American society seems racked with division and social media encourages public criticism and vitriol.
—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
1 June 2026
Charles Preston,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
28 May 2026
Jeon said the company would look at results from the police inquiry and any employee found to have intended to ridicule protesters would be fired.
—
CBS News,
26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ridicule
Noun
Dozens of harrowing twists later, Daniel was turned into a vampire by Louis’ terrifyingly powerful, 500-year-old lover, Armand (Assad Zaman), and published Louis’ confessions to the ridicule of the human media and the outrage of the understandably press-shy immortal community.
—
Judy Berman,
Time,
2 June 2026
Seeing a person react with kindness and not ridicule – that’s radical at a time when American society seems racked with division and social media encourages public criticism and vitriol.
—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
1 June 2026
Verb
Further, the word kliba is not necessarily an affirming term in the Mahabharata since it is used derisively, as almost a slur, by men to ridicule and question the masculinity of other men who act cowardly.
—
Charles Preston,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
28 May 2026
Jeon said the company would look at results from the police inquiry and any employee found to have intended to ridicule protesters would be fired.
—
CBS News,
26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ridicule
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ridicule
Noun
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Things like trying to disqualify the entire Utah County Attorney's Office, trying to get some of the evidence suppressed, trying to get a contempt order because the prosecutors violated the court's gag order.
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Graf held a hearing earlier this month over whether prosecutors should be held in contempt for their comments about the bullet.
Verb
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In the weeks leading up to the June 26 release of the film, men mocked 26-year-old Alcock’s appearance across social media.
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Each sketch was packed with mocking details, such as long red ties, Big Macs and lots and lots of gold, to drive home her point.
Noun
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While the singer-songwriter has been vocal about her disdain for generative AI models, her latest argument against it comes after learning hundreds of her own songs have been used for training purposes.
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But many Cepeda voters are still grappling to understand the disdain towards Colombia’s left.
Noun
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Not all the derision was from the online peanut gallery.
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Cassie’s OnlyFans adventures, for interest, were depicted with a kind of sneering derision toward the character’s poor judgement and lack of savvy.
Noun
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He’s long delved into the dark corners of his lived and theoretical experience, pushing toward sticky, disquieting ideas that sent ripples of nervous laughter through a crowd unable to reject his reasoning.
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If philosophy begins in wonder, trenchant social drama seems to start in laughter.
Cite this Entry
“Ridicule.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ridicule. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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