Ridicule
verb
To make fun of or mock someone or something in a hurtful way.
He always ridicules me for my fashion choices.

Often appears as...
- ridicule someone for
- subject to ridicule
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
The act of making fun of someone or something in a hurtful way.
His mistakes made him the object of ridicule among his classmates.

Often appears as...
- subject to ridicule
- object of ridicule
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To make fun of or mock someone or something in a hurtful way.
He always ridicules me for my fashion choices.

Often appears as...
- ridicule someone for
- subject to ridicule
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
The act of making fun of someone or something in a hurtful way.
His mistakes made him the object of ridicule among his classmates.

Often appears as...
- subject to ridicule
- object of ridicule
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 2

Negative Connotation
Using 'ridicule' suggests disapproval of the mocking behavior.

The teacher warned students that ridicule of others would not be tolerated.
Power Dynamics
Ridicule can imply a power imbalance where the ridiculer feels superior.

The boss's ridicule of junior staff hurt morale.
Social Situations
Used in social contexts, 'ridicule' can damage relationships.

His ridicule of her artwork ended their friendship.
Negative Connotation
Using 'ridicule' suggests disapproval of the mocking behavior.

The teacher warned students that ridicule of others would not be tolerated.
Power Dynamics
Ridicule can imply a power imbalance where the ridiculer feels superior.

The boss's ridicule of junior staff hurt morale.
Social Situations
Used in social contexts, 'ridicule' can damage relationships.

His ridicule of her artwork ended their friendship.
Negative Connotation
Using 'ridicule' suggests disapproval of the mocking behavior.

The teacher warned students that ridicule of others would not be tolerated.
Power Dynamics
Ridicule can imply a power imbalance where the ridiculer feels superior.

The boss's ridicule of junior staff hurt morale.
Social Situations
Used in social contexts, 'ridicule' can damage relationships.

His ridicule of her artwork ended their friendship.
Video examples
What's the definition of...
Someone doing the same thing over and over, or building up a false image of themself and the world, or not adapting to reality by just noticing the banana peel on the ground -- this is automatism, ignorance of one's own mindless rigidity, and it's dangerous but also laughable and comic ridicule helps correct it.
Video examples
A kinder, gentler...
There is another source of solace and comfort for all this. When we think about failing in life, when we think about failure, one of the reasons why we fear failing is not just a loss of income, a loss of status. What we fear is the judgment and ridicule of others. And it exists.
Video examples
Let’s put the romance...
the task at the risk of being ridiculed as warm fuzzy and slightly bonkers I believe it is a risk worth taking many of us spent the majority of our waking hours at work and yet only 13% of employees worldwide are fully engaged we should not divorce business from our
Video examples
Why we need to talk...
And know that you're sick, you're not weak, and it's an issue, not an identity, because when you get past the fear and the ridicule and the judgment and the stigma of others, you can see depression for what it really is, and that's just a part of life,
Video examples
The surprising origins...
for whom she felt platonic affection. Current consensus is that these stories, which ridicule Sappho or deny her work’s homoeroticism, are probably all untrue artifacts of misogyny and homophobia. Despite the distortions of the intervening millennia,
Video examples
The wicked wit of Jane...
And though her heroines might ridicule senseless social mores, Austen fully understood the practical importance of maintaining appearances. At the time she was writing, a wealthy marriage was a financial necessity for most young women,
Video examples
Atheism 2.0 PIPE Alain de...
Chris Now this is actually a courageous talk, because you're kind of setting up yourself in some ways to be ridiculed in some quarters. You can get shot by both sides. You can get shot by the hard-headed atheists,
Video examples
The revolutionary power...
I realized one I have never had the courage to say in a public space that I was bisexual myself, because I so feared the slander and the stigma and the ridicule and the hatred that was sure to follow.
Video examples
Pirate Ship Wreck...
this thing existed many people and we were highly ridiculed at first for even looking for it in all those lunatics there's no pirate ship out there despite hours of research and thousands of dives
Video examples
The price of shame PIPE...
while being intimate with another man. When the online world learned of this incident, the ridicule and cyberbullying ignited. A few days later,
Video examples
What's the definition of...
Someone doing the same thing over and over, or building up a false image of themself and the world, or not adapting to reality by just noticing the banana peel on the ground -- this is automatism, ignorance of one's own mindless rigidity, and it's dangerous but also laughable and comic ridicule helps correct it.
Video examples
A kinder, gentler...
There is another source of solace and comfort for all this. When we think about failing in life, when we think about failure, one of the reasons why we fear failing is not just a loss of income, a loss of status. What we fear is the judgment and ridicule of others. And it exists.
Video examples
Let’s put the romance...
the task at the risk of being ridiculed as warm fuzzy and slightly bonkers I believe it is a risk worth taking many of us spent the majority of our waking hours at work and yet only 13% of employees worldwide are fully engaged we should not divorce business from our
Video examples
Why we need to talk...
And know that you're sick, you're not weak, and it's an issue, not an identity, because when you get past the fear and the ridicule and the judgment and the stigma of others, you can see depression for what it really is, and that's just a part of life,
Video examples
The surprising origins...
for whom she felt platonic affection. Current consensus is that these stories, which ridicule Sappho or deny her work’s homoeroticism, are probably all untrue artifacts of misogyny and homophobia. Despite the distortions of the intervening millennia,
Video examples
The wicked wit of Jane...
And though her heroines might ridicule senseless social mores, Austen fully understood the practical importance of maintaining appearances. At the time she was writing, a wealthy marriage was a financial necessity for most young women,
Video examples
Atheism 2.0 PIPE Alain de...
Chris Now this is actually a courageous talk, because you're kind of setting up yourself in some ways to be ridiculed in some quarters. You can get shot by both sides. You can get shot by the hard-headed atheists,
Video examples
The revolutionary power...
I realized one I have never had the courage to say in a public space that I was bisexual myself, because I so feared the slander and the stigma and the ridicule and the hatred that was sure to follow.
Video examples
Pirate Ship Wreck...
this thing existed many people and we were highly ridiculed at first for even looking for it in all those lunatics there's no pirate ship out there despite hours of research and thousands of dives
Video examples
The price of shame PIPE...
while being intimate with another man. When the online world learned of this incident, the ridicule and cyberbullying ignited. A few days later,
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Ann Widdecombe
British Politician
Our knowledge of animals and their behaviour has come a long way. We can no longer justify imprisoning them, robbing them of everything that is natural and important to them and turning them into objects of ridicule for our amusement.

Quote examples
Paul F. Tompkins
American Comedian
The way we get our news is very important, and the idea that the media doesn't always do right by us, and that they focus on things they shouldn't for ratings, is very important, and it's absolutely worthy of ridicule.

Quote examples
Nicki Minaj
American Musician
I don't agree that everyone should agree with everyone's lifestyle. I think that some people aren't going to agree, but I think that when you're mean and when you ridicule people it's a sign of your own insecurities.

Quote examples
Arthur Schopenhauer
German Philosopher
All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.

Quote examples
Thomas P. O'Neill
American Politician
Anyone who comes into your office with an idea, and it may be the silliest idea in the world, listen to them and never ridicule them.

Quote examples
Gavin Esler
Scottish Journalist
Donald Trump's tweets attract ridicule from some. But clearly they communicate effectively with his millions of supporters.

Quote examples
Chadwick Boseman
American Actor
We live in a world where people can ridicule you at the push of the button. They can question you at the push of a button.

Quote examples
Kevin Costner
American Actor
I stand up for what I believe. I don't know if it's always paid off for me, because I've been ridiculed and humiliated.

Quote examples
Oscar Wilde
Irish Poet
Ridicule is the tribute paid to the genius by the mediocrities.

Quote examples
William Warburton
English Critic
Reason is the test of ridicule, not ridicule the test of truth.

Quote examples
Ann Widdecombe
British Politician
Our knowledge of animals and their behaviour has come a long way. We can no longer justify imprisoning them, robbing them of everything that is natural and important to them and turning them into objects of ridicule for our amusement.

Quote examples
Paul F. Tompkins
American Comedian
The way we get our news is very important, and the idea that the media doesn't always do right by us, and that they focus on things they shouldn't for ratings, is very important, and it's absolutely worthy of ridicule.

Quote examples
Nicki Minaj
American Musician
I don't agree that everyone should agree with everyone's lifestyle. I think that some people aren't going to agree, but I think that when you're mean and when you ridicule people it's a sign of your own insecurities.

Quote examples
Arthur Schopenhauer
German Philosopher
All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.

Quote examples
Thomas P. O'Neill
American Politician
Anyone who comes into your office with an idea, and it may be the silliest idea in the world, listen to them and never ridicule them.

Quote examples
Gavin Esler
Scottish Journalist
Donald Trump's tweets attract ridicule from some. But clearly they communicate effectively with his millions of supporters.

Quote examples
Chadwick Boseman
American Actor
We live in a world where people can ridicule you at the push of the button. They can question you at the push of a button.

Quote examples
Kevin Costner
American Actor
I stand up for what I believe. I don't know if it's always paid off for me, because I've been ridiculed and humiliated.

Quote examples
Oscar Wilde
Irish Poet
Ridicule is the tribute paid to the genius by the mediocrities.

Quote examples
William Warburton
English Critic
Reason is the test of ridicule, not ridicule the test of truth.

Example 1 of 10
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension