mock

Imitate with contempt

Mock means to ridicule or treat with contempt, often by imitation: The kids mocked his accent.

It can also mean to mimic derisively or to frustrate expectations: The locked door mocked our escape plans.

As an adjective, mock describes something simulated or imitation rather than real: a mock trial, mock turtle soup, a mock battle.

The noun appears in phrases like make a mock of, meaning to make a joke of something serious.

ridicule

jeer

Vocal expression of scorn

sneerScornful expression
scoffMock with disdain
tauntInsulting provocation

deride · scorn · belittle · disparage · heckle · tease · jibe · gibe · insult · lampoon

imitate

mimic

One who copies others

parodySatirical imitation
caricatureExaggerated comic depiction
impersonateAssume another's identity

ape · parrot · spoof · burlesque · satirize · send-up · takeoff · lampoon · travesty · pastiche

counterfeit

fake

Not the real thing

shamFraudulent imitation
falseNot matching reality
phonyFraudulent person or thing

bogus · imitation · pseudo · ersatz · pretend · artificial · faux · synthetic · spurious · feigned

simulate

practice

Repeated work toward mastery

trialJudicial examination of claims
drillHole-boring device
rehearsalPre-performance practice session

dry-run · test · dummy · prototype · simulation · model · sample · preliminary · pretend · fake

Categories

contemptcontempt, scorn, disdain, despise, derision
disparagementdefame, denigrate, disparage, malign, slander
impersonationimpersonator, mimic, imitate, imitation, impressionist
tauntstaunts, taunt, taunting, neener neener, insults
teasingtease, teasing, rib, ribbing, josh
vocalizationsspeak, speaking, talking, whisper, shout

Opposites

authenticity

Truly what it claims

real · authentic · true · actual · original

social attitude

Expression of approval

honor · revere · exalt · applaud · venerate

behavioral response

mockobey

Follow commands given

follow · respect · heed · comply · submit

Phrases

mocking birdsBirds known for imitation
mocked upCreated a preliminary model
make a mockery ofRender absurd or worthless
mock examinationsPreparatory assessments before real ones
mock battlesStaged combat for practice
mock trialSimulated legal proceeding

Family

mocking, mockery, mocked, mocker, mocks, mockers, mockable, mockumentary

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