Definition

1. Noun:

   • The act of deriding or treating with contempt: "Ridicule" refers to the action of making someone or something the object of scornful laughter or mockery.
   • Language or behavior intended to mock or humiliate: It also describes the specific words or actions used to express mockery and make someone feel foolish.

2. Verb:

   • To subject to laughter or ridicule: To make fun of someone or something, to mock or deride them.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • She faced constant ridicule from her classmates for her accent.
  • His proposal was met with ridicule and dismissed by the committee.

• Verb:

  • It is cruel to ridicule someone for their beliefs.
  • The comedian ridiculed the politician's latest speech.

Advanced Usage

• "to hold someone/something up to ridicule": to publicly mock or deride someone or something.

  • The article held the company's environmental policy up to ridicule.

• "to be an object of ridicule": to be someone or something that is widely mocked.

  • After the failed product launch, the CEO became an object of ridicule.

• "to invite ridicule": to behave in a way that makes mockery likely.

  • Wearing such an extravagant costume to a casual event is to invite ridicule.

Variants and Related Words

• Ridiculous (adj): Deserving or inviting mockery; absurd.

  • He looked ridiculous in that oversized hat.

• Ridiculer (n): A person who ridicules.

  • He was known as a harsh ridiculer of his opponents.

Synonyms

• Mockery: The action of mocking someone or something.
• Derision: Contemptuous ridicule or mockery.
• Taunt: A remark made in order to anger, wound, or provoke someone.

Antonyms

• Praise: The expression of approval or admiration.
• Respect: A feeling of deep admiration for someone elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.
• Honor: High respect; great esteem.

Related Phrases

• "to pour ridicule on": to heap mockery upon.

  • The critics poured ridicule on the artist's new exhibition.

• "beyond ridicule": so bad or foolish that it cannot even be mocked effectively; often used to express utter contempt.

  • The government's handling of the crisis was beyond ridicule.

Noun

1. the act of deriding or treating with contempt
2. language or behavior intended to mock or humiliate

Verb

1. subject to laughter or ridicule
   • The satirists ridiculed the plans for a new opera house
   • The students poked fun at the inexperienced teacher
   • His former students roasted the professor at his 60th birthday