ridicule
gb/ɹˈɪdɪkjˌul/ us/ɹˈɪdɪkjˌul/
B2
English
~ 6200
gúnyol, kicsúfol, kigúnyol, gúny, gúnyolódás
VERB
B2
1
Usage pattern:
to ridicule [someone/something]
Commenters ridiculed the politician for his confused answer during the debate.
A kommentelők kigúnyolták a politikust a vita során adott zavaros válasza miatt.
Her classmates ridiculed her accent until she refused to speak in class.
Az osztálytársai addig csúfolták az akcentusa miatt, hogy végül már nem volt hajlandó megszólalni az órákon.
The film was widely ridiculed by critics for its weak script.
He ridiculed the proposal as unrealistic and poorly planned.
Rather than ridiculing people who disagree, she tries to understand their point of view.
Learner examples
The other boys ridiculed him when he cried.
A többi fiú kicsúfolta, amikor sírt.
People ridiculed her online after she posted the video.
Az interneten sokan kigúnyolták, miután feltette a videót.
Some students ridiculed his idea, but the teacher liked it.
He was ridiculed for his old clothes.
Please do not ridicule my English; I am still learning.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse the verb 'ridicule' with the adjective 'ridiculous'. Use 'ridicule' when someone laughs at a person or thing (e.g. 'They ridiculed him'), and 'ridiculous' when something is silly or stupid (e.g. 'His idea is ridiculous'). Another mistake is to say 'ridicule of someone' as a verb phrase; instead say 'ridicule someone' or 'make fun of someone'.
Meaning
to mock someone or something
Collocations
ridicule someone
|ridicule an idea
|publicly ridicule
|be ridiculed for [something]
|ridicule as [adjective]
|face ridicule from [someone]
Synonyms
mock (Very close in meaning; slightly more common in everyday speech and can be less formal than 'ridicule'.)
|
make fun of (More informal and common in conversation; may sound less strong or cruel than 'ridicule' depending on context.)
Antonyms
praise (Focuses on expressing approval or admiration instead of scorn or laughter.)
|
respect (Emphasizes valuing someone and treating them with dignity, the opposite of treating them as a joke.)
Themes
communication
|emotions
|social
|core_vocabulary
Definition
to laugh at someone or something in a cruel or unkind way and make them seem stupid
To speak or behave in a way that makes someone or something seem stupid or silly, especially in a scornful or public way.
NOUN
B2
2
gúny
B2
gúnyolódás
B2
Usage pattern:
be the object of ridicule
The new policy became a source of public ridicule within days.
Az új intézkedés napokon belül közgúny tárgyává vált.
Fear of ridicule stopped him from asking any questions.
A gúnytól való félelem visszatartotta attól, hogy bármilyen kérdést feltegyen.
Her unusual clothes attracted curious looks but not open ridicule.
The company’s exaggerated claims were soon held up to ridicule in the press.
Once respected, he is now the object of ridicule among his former colleagues.
Learner examples
He did not speak because he was afraid of ridicule.
Nem szólalt meg, mert félt a gúnytól.
The idea sounded strange at first and met with ridicule.
Az ötlet elsőre furcsán hangzott, és gúnyolódással fogadták.
Her accent was often a target of ridicule at school.
They used jokes and ridicule to make him feel small.
The plan was met with ridicule by the team.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes try to use 'ridicule' as an adjective (e.g. 'a ridicule idea'); the correct adjective is 'ridiculous'. Also, they may say 'do a ridicule of him'; instead use 'make him the object of ridicule' or 'use ridicule against him'.
Meaning
unkind mockery or scorn
Collocations
subject of ridicule
|object of ridicule
|hold up to ridicule
|face ridicule
|open to ridicule
|bring someone into ridicule
Synonyms
mockery (Very close in meaning; can sound slightly more emotional or contemptuous in some contexts.)
|
scorn (Adds a stronger sense of deep disrespect or contempt, not just laughing at someone.)
Antonyms
respect (Refers to treating someone as important and worthy, instead of laughing at them.)
|
admiration (Highlights strong approval and liking, the opposite feeling of ridicule.)
Themes
communication
|emotions
|social
|core_vocabulary
Definition
unkind words or laughter that make a person or thing seem stupid
Unkind laughter, speech, or behavior that makes someone or something appear foolish or not worth taking seriously.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ridicule
IPA
GB/ɹˈɪdɪkjˌul/
US/ɹˈɪdɪkjˌul/
Syllables & stress
ri - dicule (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ri)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: ridicule
- Plural: ridicule
Verb
- Base: ridicule
- 3rd Person Singular: ridicules
- Present Participle: ridiculing
- Past: ridiculed
Word family
Forms
ridicules
verb
ridiculing
verb
ridiculed
verb
Core family
ridiculous
adjective B1
ridiculously
adverb
Related words
ridiculousness
noun
Expressions
expose to ridicule
1/ɪkspˈoʊz tə ɹˈɪdɪkjˌul/
fixed phrase
formal
cause someone to be mocked
to put someone or something in a situation where people will probably laugh at them in an unkind way
Examples
- Releasing such an unfinished product would expose the company to ridicule.
- Publishing the wrong figures exposed the minister to ridicule in parliament.
hold up to ridicule
1/hˈoʊld ˈʌp tə ɹˈɪdɪkjˌul/
fixed phrase
present so others mock them
to show or describe someone or something so that people laugh at them and do not respect them
Examples
- The cartoon held up corrupt officials to ridicule.
- Comedians often hold up social norms to ridicule in their shows.
open to ridicule
1/ˈoʊpən tə ɹˈɪdɪkjˌul/
fixed phrase
vulnerable to being mocked
easy for other people to laugh at or criticize in an unkind way
Examples
- The obvious mistake in the ad left the company open to ridicule.
- Such a weak argument leaves you open to ridicule in a public debate.
subject to ridicule
1/sˈʌbd͡ʒɪkt tə ɹˈɪdɪkjˌul/
fixed phrase
formal
likely to be mocked
likely to receive unkind laughter or comments from other people
Examples
- Anyone who spoke out was subject to ridicule from their peers.
- The report warns that the government will be subject to ridicule if it breaks this promise.
the object of ridicule
1/ðə ˈɑbd͡ʒɛkt əv ɹˈɪdɪkjˌul/
fixed phrase
person or thing being mocked
the person or thing that other people laugh at in a cruel or unkind way
Examples
- After the mistake, he became the object of ridicule in the office.
- The outdated software is now the object of ridicule among tech workers.