ridicule
Make sport of
Ridicule is mockery intended to make someone or something appear foolish or contemptible.
To ridicule is to subject to such treatment: The press ridiculed his proposal.
Unlike teasing, which can be affectionate, ridicule carries genuine scorn.
Something ridiculous invites ridicule—though the adjective has softened to mean merely absurd or laughable.
Scornful imitation or fake
- lampoonHarsh public mockery
- jeerVocal expression of scorn
- scoffMock with disdain
- gibeScornful teasing remark
caricature · parody · sneer · tease · heckle · raillery · burlesque · travesty
Humorous statement seeking laughter
- jestHumorous remark or act
- witClever, inventive humor
- comedyWork meant to amuse
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
quip · laughter · satire · irony · sarcasm · farce · silliness · buffoonery
Insulting provocation
- jibeAgree or correspond
- insultOffensive remark or action
- barbBackward-pointing spike
- gibeScornful teasing remark
wisecrack · crack · dig · needle · cutting remark · zinger · retort · rejoinder
Disdainful disregard
- disdainScornful disregard
- belittleTo make something seem unimportant
- disparageExpress low opinion of
- denigrateCriticize unfairly to harm
sneering · scorning · dismissiveness · deprecate · condescension · disrespect · slight · demean
Loss of dignity
- embarrassmentSelf-conscious unease
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- stigmaMark of dishonor
- ostracismBanishment from a group
public shaming · bullying · harassment · cyberbullying · trolling · cancel culture · pile-on · meme
Unwise, gullible person
- laughingstockOne publicly mocked
- buttRear of body
- targetObject of pursuit
- objectTangible entity or aim
victim · scapegoat · whipping boy · fall guy · figure of fun · stooge · dupe · patsy
mock
Scornful imitation or fake
gibe · caricature · parody · sneer · tease · heckle · raillery · burlesque · travesty · send-up
joke
Humorous statement seeking laughter
banter · quip · laughter · satire · irony · sarcasm · farce · silliness · buffoonery · absurdity
taunt
Insulting provocation
gibe · wisecrack · crack · dig · needle · cutting remark · zinger · retort · rejoinder · comeback
contempt
Disdainful disregard
denigrate · sneering · scorning · dismissiveness · deprecate · condescension · disrespect · slight · demean · degrade
humiliation
Loss of dignity
- embarrassmentSelf-conscious unease
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- stigmaMark of dishonor
ostracism · public shaming · bullying · harassment · cyberbullying · trolling · cancel culture · pile-on · meme · roasting
fool
Unwise, gullible person
- laughingstockOne publicly mocked
- buttRear of body
- targetObject of pursuit
object · victim · scapegoat · whipping boy · fall guy · figure of fun · stooge · dupe · patsy
- contemptcontempt, scorn, disdain, despise, sneer
- disfavordisapproval, dislike, disdain, contempt, scorn
- dismissive behaviorssnub, scorn, ignore, disdain, dismissal
- provocationbaiting, goading, taunting, incitement, instigation
- satirelampoon, parody, parody account, political satire, spoof
- mockingmock, tease, taunt, jeer, poke fun
ridiculepraise
Expression of approval
commend · honor · applaud · commendation · applause
- public ridiculeOpen group mockery
ridiculous, ridiculed, ridiculously, ridiculousness, ridiculing, ridicules, ridiculer