n.
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: -culed ; -cul · ing
Date: circa 1700
: to make fun of
– rid · i · cul · er noun
synonyms RIDICULE , DERIDE , MOCK , TAUNT mean to make an object of laughter of. RIDICULE implies a deliberate often malicious belittling <consistently ridiculed everything she said>. DERIDE suggests contemptuous and often bitter ridicule < derided their efforts to start their own business>. MOCK implies scorn often ironically expressed as by mimicry or sham deference <youngsters began to mock the helpless wino>. TAUNT suggests jeeringly provoking insult or challenge <hometown fans taunted the visiting team>.