rid·i·cule
(rĭd́ĭ-kyōōĺ)
[French, from Latin rīdiculum, joke from neuter of rīdiculus, laughable; see ridiculous.]
noun
- Words or actions intended to evoke contemptuous laughter at or feelings toward a person or thing: “I know that ridicule may be a shield, but it is not a weapon” (Dorothy Parker)
transitive verb: -culed, -cul·ing, -cules.
- To expose to ridicule; make fun of.
derivatives
- rid́i·cuĺer
- noun
synonyms:
ridicule, mock, taunt1twit, deride These verbs refer to making another the butt of amusement or mirth. Ridicule implies purposeful disparagement: “My father discouraged me by ridiculing my performances” (Benjamin Franklin) To mock is to poke fun at someone, often by mimicking and caricaturing speech or actions: “Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort/As if he mock'd himself, and scorn'd his spirit” (Shakespeare) Taunt suggests mocking, insulting, or scornful reproach: “taunting him with want of courage to leap into the great pit” (Daniel Defoe) To twit is to taunt by calling attention to something embarrassing: “The schoolmaster was twitted about the lady who threw him over” (J.M. Barrie) Deride implies scorn and contempt: “Was all the world in a conspiracy to deride his failure?” (Edith Wharton)
