poke fun
Rib someone gently
To poke fun at someone or something is to mock or tease in a lighthearted way: The show pokes fun at celebrity culture.
The phrase implies gentle ridicule rather than cruel attack—more playful than malicious.
You can poke fun at yourself, at institutions, at conventions.
He's always poking fun at my accent.
Contemptuous mocking treatment
- mockScornful imitation or fake
- tauntInsulting provocation
- jeerVocal expression of scorn
- derideMock with contempt
scoff · sneer · belittle · disparage · gibe · jibe · scorn · contempt
Mock playfully
Mockery exposing vice
- parodySatirical imitation
- lampoonHarsh public mockery
- caricatureExaggerated comic depiction
- spoofComic exaggerated imitation
send-up · takeoff · burlesque · skewer · roast · impersonate · mimic · exaggerate
ridicule
Contemptuous mocking treatment
deride · scoff · sneer · belittle · disparage · gibe · jibe · scorn · contempt · disdain
tease
Mock playfully
banter · rib · josh · chaff · razz · roast · needle · twit · goof on · mess with
satire
Mockery exposing vice
- parodySatirical imitation
- lampoonHarsh public mockery
- caricatureExaggerated comic depiction
spoof · send-up · takeoff · burlesque · skewer · roast · impersonate · mimic · exaggerate · wit