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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ridicule
Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025
There’s a real honesty to the resulting mixture: Yes, Hollywood is a silly, destructive business that deserves ridicule in so many ways, and yet there’s something about it that continues to inspire our deep, abiding love.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025
Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 May 2025
The Bills don’t want their players, coaches or staffers ridiculed similarly.
—Tim Graham, New York Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ridicule
Noun
Even the country’s closest democratic allies and largest trading partners, Canada and Mexico, faced ridicule, seemingly arbitrary import tax rates, and threats of territorial ambition.
—Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025
There’s a real honesty to the resulting mixture: Yes, Hollywood is a silly, destructive business that deserves ridicule in so many ways, and yet there’s something about it that continues to inspire our deep, abiding love.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
Gilgeous-Alexander even got ridiculed during his team's Game 3 loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
—Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 May 2025
The Bills don’t want their players, coaches or staffers ridiculed similarly.
—Tim Graham, New York Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ridicule
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ridicule
Noun
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What to do instead Gottman’s antidote for contempt is to co-create a culture of fondness and appreciation.—
Kelley J. Brower,
CNBC,
5 June 2025
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Additionally, Garcia filed a motion Wednesday morning in Jackson County Circuit Court asking a judge to find Abarca in contempt of court for allegedly violating the conditions of the protective order.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
Verb
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Some right wingers will watch to mock the protesters or watch for signs of violence.—
Chris Morris,
Fortune,
14 June 2025
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The Baloncesto Superior Nacional league announced Tuesday that Cousins was kicked off the Mets de Guaynabo after a vile gesture toward a fan, grabbing his genitals to mock the fan as the fan flipped both his middle fingers.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2025
Noun
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Neighbors tended to agree in their disdain for the hostel-turned-shelter.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2025
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Trump, however, ignored Musk’s disdain for Altman and made OpenAI a major player in Project Stargate, his effort to build out AI data and energy centers.—
Sylvan Lane,
The Hill,
6 June 2025
Noun
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President Donald Trump's social media attacks on Vladimir Putin have prompted derision and a warning from Russian state media.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
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While some welcomed Meghan's return to public life, others piled on with online derision ranging from criticism of her personality to a seeming lack of authenticity by shooting the show at a set and not her real home.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Scheduled to hit Seattle as a one-night-only event, the online bromance between Shatner and Tyson in McCaw Hall promises an evening of big questions, bold ideas, and plenty of laughter, all centered around our place within the universe.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
14 June 2025
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Even so, some of Lucy’s pronouncements are so truly awful that a blunt snort of laughter is the only response.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ridicule.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ridicule. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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