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ridicule

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˈrɪdɪkjul/ · UK /ˈrɪdɪkjuːl/

Forms: ridiculed

ridicule means: To laugh at someone or something in an unkind way that makes them seem foolish.

verb

MAKE FUNB2

To laugh at someone or something in an unkind way that makes them seem foolish.

  • They ridiculed my idea.
  • She was ridiculed for her unusual clothes.
  • Why do you ridicule people who disagree with you?

How to use it: ridicule someone/something for something (The boys ridiculed him for his accent.)

Similar words: mock, make fun of, laugh at

Common phrases: ridicule someone, ridicule an idea, publicly ridicule someone

noun

UNKIND LAUGHTERB2

Unkind laughter or comments that make someone or something seem foolish.

  • His suggestion met with ridicule.
  • She feared public ridicule.
  • The strange rule became an object of ridicule.

How to use it: ridicule of someone/something (Their ridicule of his work was cruel.)

Similar words: mockery, derision

Common phrases: public ridicule, face ridicule, object of ridicule

Questions about ridicule

What does ridicule mean?

To laugh at someone or something in an unkind way that makes them seem foolish.

What is ridicule in other languages?

Türkçe: alay etmek · Español: ridiculizar · Français: ridiculiser · Deutsch: verspotten · Italiano: ridicolizzare · 日本語: あざ笑う

How do you pronounce ridicule?

In American English /ˈrɪdɪkjul/; in British English /ˈrɪdɪkjuːl/.

How do you use ridicule in a sentence?

They ridiculed my idea. She was ridiculed for her unusual clothes.

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ridicule in other languages

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