de ridder
C1formal
Definition
Meaning
to laugh at or show contempt for someone or something; to ridicule or mock
to express scornful, dismissive amusement or contempt toward someone's ideas, appearance, or actions; to treat with contemptuous disrespect
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Deride implies not just mockery but a deliberate, often superior attitude of contempt. It's stronger than 'tease' and suggests the subject is considered foolish or worthless.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant meaning differences; slight variation in frequency with British English using it slightly more in formal writing.
Connotations
Equally strong connotations of contempt and scorn in both varieties.
Frequency
Low-frequency formal word in both varieties; more likely in academic, political, or literary contexts than everyday speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] derides [Object][Subject] derides [Object] as [complement]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to 'deride'; commonly appears in phrases like 'to be derided as...'”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; might appear in critiques of business proposals or strategies considered foolish.
Academic
Common in critical analysis, literary criticism, or historical commentary.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation; would sound formal or pretentious.
Technical
Occasional in political science or media criticism to describe public contempt.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Critics derided the new policy as unworkable.
- He was often derided for his eccentric views.
American English
- The proposal was derided by opponents as unrealistic.
- They derided his attempts to reform the system.
adverb
British English
- N/A (derisively is the adverb form)
American English
- N/A (derisively is the adverb form)
adjective
British English
- N/A (derisive is the adjective form)
American English
- N/A (derisive is the adjective form)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Some people deride others for being different.
- He derided her idea without thinking.
- Politicians often deride their opponents' policies during debates.
- The press derided the company's failed product launch.
- Academic purists deride popular adaptations of classical literature as trivializations.
- Historians have derided the theory as lacking substantive evidence.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'DE-RIDE' as in 'to take someone for a RIDE' by mocking them, or to 'ride' them with criticism.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTEMPT IS DOWNWARD MOTION (to look down on), MOCKERY IS A WEAPON (to wield scorn)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'насмехаться' which is broader; 'deride' is more contemptuous and formal.
- Not equivalent to 'высмеивать' in casual contexts; reserve for serious scorn.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'deride' in casual contexts where 'tease' or 'make fun of' is appropriate.
- Incorrect: 'We derided him playfully' – contradiction in tone.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'deride' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's a formal word most common in written English, journalism, academic writing, or formal speech.
Both mean to mock, but 'deride' often carries a stronger sense of contempt and dismissiveness, while 'ridicule' focuses more on making someone or something seem foolish.
No, it inherently carries a negative, scornful tone and would sound inappropriate for light-hearted teasing.
Noun: derision. Adjective: derisive. Adverb: derisively.