ridicule
gb/ɹˈɪdɪkjˌul/ us/ɹˈɪdɪkjˌul/
B2
English
~ 6200
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
to mock someone or something
to laugh at someone or something in a cruel or unkind way and make them seem stupid
Usage pattern:
to ridicule [someone/something]
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'.
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.)
Collocations
ridicule someone
|ridicule an idea
|publicly ridicule
|be ridiculed for [something]
|ridicule as [adjective]
|face ridicule from [someone]
Themes
communication
|emotions
|social
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Commenters ridiculed the politician for his confused answer during the debate.
- Her classmates ridiculed her accent until she refused to speak in class.
- 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.
- People ridiculed her online after she posted the video.
- 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.
Noun
B2
entity
2
unkind mockery or scorn
unkind words or laughter that make a person or thing seem stupid
Usage pattern:
be the object of ridicule
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'.
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.)
Collocations
subject of ridicule
|object of ridicule
|hold up to ridicule
|face ridicule
|open to ridicule
|bring someone into ridicule
Themes
communication
|emotions
|social
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The new policy became a source of public ridicule within days.
- Fear of ridicule stopped him from asking any questions.
- 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.
- The idea sounded strange at first and met with ridicule.
- 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.
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.