deride

[ dih-rahyd ]

verb (used with object)

, de·rid·ed, de·rid·ing.

1. to laugh at in scorn or contempt; scoff or jeer at; mock.

   Synonyms: rally, banter, gibe, flout, taunt

deride

/ dɪˈraɪd /

verb

1. tr to speak of or treat with contempt, mockery, or ridicule; scoff or jeer at

Derived Forms

• deˈrider, noun
• deˈridingly, adverb

Other Words From

• de·rider noun
• de·riding·ly adverb
• over·de·ride verb (used with object) overderided overderiding
• unde·rided adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of deride¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin dērīdēre “to mock,” equivalent to dē- de- + rīdēre “to laugh”

Word History and Origins

Origin of deride¹

C16: from Latin dērīdēre to laugh to scorn, from de- + rīdēre to laugh, smile

Synonym Study

See ridicule.

Example Sentences

That has sometimes led to allowing asylum seekers into the country while they await court dates with immigration judges, a practice critics deride as “catch and release.”

From New York Times

Trump has little desire to inherit, in the longer term, a war he has derided as expensive and pointless.

From Los Angeles Times

Opponents deride the policies as “forced outing” that make schools less safe for LGBTQ+ people.

From Los Angeles Times

One likely early target will be Biden-era tailpipe emissions rules that Trump has derided as an electric vehicle “mandate.”

From Salon

Portland’s four-member city council lived far from these neighborhoods, sometimes derided by locals as the faraway “numbers.”

From Salon

Related Words

• disdain
• disparage
• mock
• ridicule
• scoff
• scorn
• taunt