ridicule
B2Formal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To subject someone or something to mockery and contemptuous laughter; to make fun of.
The act of mocking someone or something; derision. Can also refer to the state of being mocked.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word implies a deliberate, often cruel or dismissive, act of mockery intended to belittle. It is more formal and severe than 'make fun of' and less physical than 'taunt'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is virtually identical in both varieties. Spelling is the same.
Connotations
Slightly more formal/concrete as a noun in British English (e.g., 'He was held up to ridicule'), but the distinction is minor.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
VERB + ridicule: to attract/invite/face/endure ridiculeridicule + NOUN: ridicule and contemptPREP + ridicule: an object of ridiculeVERB: to ridicule someone/something for somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “lay yourself open to ridicule”
- “a figure of ridicule”
- “hold someone up to ridicule”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; used in contexts of public failure or naive proposals, e.g., 'The CEO's prediction was met with ridicule in the financial press.'
Academic
Used in literary, historical, or social critique, e.g., 'The theory was ridiculed by contemporaries before being accepted.'
Everyday
Common for describing mean-spirited teasing or mocking, e.g., 'He was ridiculed for his fashion choice.'
Technical
Not typically used in hard sciences; may appear in social sciences discussing bullying or social dynamics.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The press was quick to ridicule the minister's gaffe.
- She felt she would be ridiculed for her regional accent.
- One should not ridicule others for their sincerely held beliefs.
American English
- The proposal was ridiculed as unrealistic by experts.
- He ridiculed his opponent's plan during the debate.
- Kids often ridicule what they don't understand.
adverb
British English
- He spoke ridiculingly of the tradition. (very rare)
- She smiled ridiculingly.
American English
- 'Is that your best idea?' he asked ridiculingly.
- The critic wrote ridiculingly about the artist's early work.
adjective
British English
- He gave her a ridiculing glance. (rare, participial adjective)
- The tone was ridiculing and unkind.
American English
- She faced a barrage of ridiculing comments online.
- His ridiculing laughter echoed in the hallway.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The children ridiculed him for his new haircut.
- She doesn't like ridicule.
- His strange idea made him an object of ridicule among his classmates.
- It's not kind to ridicule people for their mistakes.
- The government's policy was widely ridiculed in the media for being naive.
- Fearing ridicule, he was reluctant to share his unconventional theory.
- The satirical show cleverly ridicules the pretensions of the political class.
- She endured years of subtle ridicule from her colleagues before her research was vindicated.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RIDicule sounds like you want to get RID of someone by mocking them.
Conceptual Metaphor
RIDICULE IS A WEAPON (to heap ridicule on, to be a target of ridicule). RIDICULE IS A LIQUID (to pour ridicule on, drowned in ridicule).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not 'издеваться' in the most physical sense; closer to 'высмеивать'.
- Can be confused with 'насмешка' (the act) and 'осмеяние' (the result).
- The verb 'to ridicule' is more formal than 'шутить над'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'They ridiculed on him.' Correct: 'They ridiculed him.'
- Incorrect: 'He is a ridicule.' Correct: 'He is an object/a figure of ridicule.' or 'He is ridiculous.'
- Confusing adjective form: 'ridiculous' (worthy of ridicule) vs. 'ridiculing' (mocking).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely synonym for 'ridicule' in a formal context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Ridicule' is harsher and more contemptuous, aiming to belittle and shame. 'Tease' can be lighter, playful, and not necessarily malicious.
Yes, most commonly it is a non-count (uncountable) noun, e.g., 'He was subjected to ridicule.' The countable sense ('the ridicules of the crowd') is rare and not standard.
No, it is a valid agent noun ('one who ridicules') but is very rare in modern English. Phrases like 'those who ridicule' are more natural.
Primary stress is on the first syllable: RID-i-cule. This is consistent for both noun and verb forms.