deride
C1Formal, literary
Definition
Meaning
To laugh at someone or something in a way that shows contempt; to ridicule or mock.
To treat or speak of with contemptuous mirth; to scorn; to make the object of scornful laughter.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Deride implies a scornful, dismissive, and often cruel intent behind the mockery. It is stronger and more formal than 'mock' or 'ridicule'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slightly more common in written, formal contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes intellectual or social contempt. Often used in political, cultural, or critical discourse.
Frequency
Low frequency in casual speech; more common in academic, journalistic, and literary texts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
VERB + OBJECT (person/idea)BE + derided + as + NOUN/PHRASEBE + derided + for + GERUND/NOUNVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to be a figure of derision”
- “to hold someone up to derision”
- “to become an object of derision”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe dismissing a competitor's strategy or a new market trend. ('Industry leaders derided the startup's unconventional approach.')
Academic
Common in critical analysis, history, or political science to describe the reception of ideas. ('His theories were initially derided by the establishment.')
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Might be used to describe severe bullying or mocking. ('She felt utterly derided by her colleagues' comments.')
Technical
Used in literary criticism or media studies to analyse tone and attitude.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The critics derided the playwright's latest work as juvenile.
- It's unkind to deride someone for their regional accent.
- The proposal was widely derided in the editorial pages.
American English
- Pundits derided the policy as completely unworkable.
- He was often derided for his old-fashioned views.
- The team's performance was derided by sports commentators.
adverb
British English
- derisively (She laughed derisively at the suggestion.)
American English
- derisively ('Yeah, right,' he said derisively.)
adjective
British English
- derisive (The crowd let out a derisive laugh.)
- derisory (He made a derisory offer for the painting.)
American English
- derisive (Her response was met with derisive snorts.)
- derisory (The settlement was a derisory sum.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The other children derided him for his clumsy drawing.
- She felt hurt when her idea was derided.
- Fashion experts derided the collection as hopelessly outdated.
- His attempts to explain were met with derisive laughter.
- The philosopher's contemporaries derided his work, which later became foundational.
- Populist leaders often deride intellectual and cultural elites.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'DE-ride' as in to 'ride down' someone, to put them down with scornful laughter.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARGUMENT IS WAR (attacking with words); SOCIAL SUPERIORITY IS UP, INFERIORITY IS DOWN (to look down on with scorn).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'насмехаться' (более общее). 'Deride' ближе к 'высмеивать с презрением', 'глумиться'.
- Не переводить как 'издеваться', которое может подразумевать физические действия ('bully', 'torment').
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect preposition: 'deride on' (correct: 'deride' + direct object).
- Confusing with 'decry' (to publicly denounce). 'Deride' focuses on mockery, 'decry' on strong disapproval.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best captures the meaning of 'deride'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a mid-frequency word (C1 level) used primarily in formal writing, journalism, and academic contexts. It is rare in everyday conversation.
'Deride' is more formal and implies a sharper, more contemptuous scorn. 'Mock' can be lighter or more theatrical. 'Ridicule' is very close in meaning but can be slightly more general. 'Deride' often suggests the target is considered foolish or unworthy of serious consideration.
Yes. It is commonly used for ideas, proposals, works of art, styles, and efforts (e.g., 'to deride a theory', 'to deride a fashion trend').
The primary noun is 'derision' (/dɪˈrɪʒ.ən/). The state of being derided is 'derisiveness'. An act of deriding can be called a 'derision', though it's more commonly an uncountable noun (e.g., 'an object of derision').