I. ˈri-də-ˌkyül noun
Etymology: French or Latin; French, from Latin ridiculum jest
Date: 1690
: the act of ridiculing : derision , mockery
II. transitive verb
( -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