make a fool of

Show someone up

To make a fool of someone is to cause them to appear stupid or ridiculous, often through deception or manipulation: He made a fool of me in front of everyone.

You can also make a fool of yourself through your own blunders or misjudgments: I made a fool of myself at the party.

humiliate

embarrass

Cause social discomfort

demean · belittle · ridicule · mock · degrade · abase · dishonor · discredit · chagrin · abash

mockery

ridicule

Contemptuous mocking treatment

  • tauntInsulting provocation
  • jeerVocal expression of scorn
  • sneerScornful expression

deride · lampoon · parody · satire · caricature · send-up · spoof · mimic · imitation · burlesque

deceive

trick

Deliberate deception

  • dupeDeceive or victim
  • conArgument against
  • swindleDeception for financial gain

hoodwink · bamboozle · gull · sucker · hoax · scam · mislead · manipulate · string along · take in

Opposites
social respect/dignity

make a fool ofhonor

High regard, moral dignity

respect · dignify · pay homage to · venerate · exalt

treatment of competence

make a fool ofvalidate

Confirm as true

vindicate · affirm · praise · compliment · sing the praises of

emotional impact

make a fool ofempower

Grant authority or confidence

encourage · uplift · reassure · support · bolster

Family

make, fool, made, foolish, making, mockery, fooled, makes, fools

Familiarity
Top 50,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G