Definition of Ridicule

1. Verb. Subject to laughter or ridicule. "His former students roasted the professor at his 60th birthday"

Exact synonyms: Blackguard, Guy, Jest At, Laugh At, Make Fun, Poke Fun, Rib, Roast
Generic synonyms: Bemock, Mock
Specialized synonyms: Tease, Lampoon, Satirise, Satirize, Debunk, Expose, Stultify
Derivative terms: Rib, Ribbing, Ridiculer, Roast

2. Noun. Language or behavior intended to mock or humiliate.
Generic synonyms: Discourtesy, Disrespect
Derivative terms: Ridiculous

3. Noun. The act of deriding or treating with contempt.
Exact synonyms: Derision
Generic synonyms: Discourtesy, Offence, Offense, Offensive Activity
Specialized synonyms: Mock
Derivative terms: Deride, Ridiculous

Definition of Ridicule

1. n. An object of sport or laughter; a laughingstock; a laughing matter.

2. v. t. To laugh at mockingly or disparagingly; to awaken ridicule toward or respecting.

3. a. Ridiculous.

Definition of Ridicule

1. Verb. (transitive) to criticize or disapprove of someone or something through scornful jocularity; to make fun of ¹

2. Noun. derision; mocking or humiliating words or behaviour ¹

3. Adjective. (obsolete) ridiculous ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Ridicule

1. to make fun of [v -CULED, -CULING, -CULES]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Ridicule

ridgewalking
ridgeway
ridgeways
ridgier
ridgiest
ridgil
ridgils
ridging
ridgings
ridglings
ridgy
ridgy-didge
ridibund
ridicle
ridicule (current term)
ridiculed
ridiculer
ridiculers
ridicules
ridiculing
ridiculize
ridiculized
ridiculizes
ridiculizing
ridiculosities
ridiculosity
ridiculous
ridiculously
ridiculousness

Literary usage of Ridicule

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. History of English Thought in the Eighteenth Century by Leslie Stephen (1881)
"ridicule is the proper antidote to every development of enthusiasm. ... He maintained as a general principle that ridicule was the test of truth; ..."

2. Elements of Criticism by Henry Home Kames, James Robert Boyd (1869)
"Those who have a ta-lent for ridicule, which is seldom united with a taste ... Persons galled are provoked to maintain, that ridicule is improper for grave ..."

3. The Works of George Berkeley, D.D., Bishop of Cloyne by George Berkeley, John Dewey, Ferdinand Gregorovius, George Sampson, Annie Hamilton, Arthur James Balfour Balfour (1898)
"Minute philosophers, their talent for raillery and ridicule. 16. The wisdom of those who make virtue alone its own reward. I. THE following day, ..."

4. The Library of Literary Criticism of English and American Authors by Charles Wells Moulton (1904)
"It is difficult to know how to characterize Martin Tupper, whose strange productions have perhaps called forth more ridicule and sold more copies than those ..."

5. South Eastern Reporter by West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, West Publishing Company, South Carolina Supreme Court (1911)
"against him as a reason therefor, for the humiliation and mortification he has suffered, for the hatred, ridicule, and contempt which he has been made to ..."

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