Deride
/dɪˈraɪd/
verbC1
Definition
Deride means to say or do things that show you think someone or something is silly, stupid, or not worth respect. It often involves making fun of or mocking in a harsh way. People deride others when they want to show strong dislike or disrespect.
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⚡ See It in Action
To laugh at or mock someone in a disrespectful way
- •The students derided the new teacher’s strange accent.
- •She was derided by her classmates for her unusual clothes.
- •Critics derided the movie for its bad acting and weak story.
To express strong disrespect or contempt by words or actions
- •The politician was derided by the press for his mistakes.
- •His ideas were derided as unrealistic and foolish.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "deride" like "laugh" (A1 word), but with a mean and hurtful feeling instead of happy or friendly
- ✓Picture someone pointing and laughing at another person who made a mistake, but in a way that hurts feelings
- ✓It's the feeling when someone makes fun of you in front of others to make you feel small or bad
- ✓Sounds like "de-RIDE" → imagine someone riding a bike and others laughing at them in a mean way
- ✓In stories, bullies often deride weaker characters to show power or make fun of them
- ✓NOT like "laugh" (which can be friendly or happy), deride is always negative and insulting
- ✓NOT like "criticize" (which can be helpful), deride is mocking and disrespectful, not trying to improve
- ✓NOT like "joke" (fun and light), deride is serious and meant to hurt or shame
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Mock: to tease or make fun of (Use when the teasing is less serious or playful)
- •Ridicule: to laugh at and make someone feel stupid (Use when you want a stronger word similar to deride)
- •Scorn: to show strong dislike or disrespect (Use when expressing strong dislike, often without laughter)
- •Jeer: to shout or laugh at someone in a rude way (Use when the disrespect is loud and public)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: "de-" (down, away) + "ride" (from Latin "ridere" meaning to laugh)
- •Etymology: From Latin "deridere," meaning to laugh at or mock someone
- •Historical development: Used since the 1500s in English to mean laughing at someone in a disrespectful way
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe harsh mocking or insulting comments, especially in formal or serious contexts
- •Key insight: The word combines the idea of laughing with the meaning of putting someone down or away
💭 Reflect & Connect
•When can making fun of someone cross the line into deriding? How do you tell the difference?
•How does being derided affect people’s feelings and confidence? Can it ever be helpful?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.People often deride others ___ they want to show strong disrespect or ___ them.
2.When someone is derided, it usually means they feel ___ or embarrassed because of the words or ___.
3.Unlike a friendly joke, deride is used to ___ or insult someone seriously.
4.Critics deride a movie when they think it is ___ and not worth respect.
5.To deride someone is to make fun of them in a way that is not ___ or kind.
6.When a group derides a person publicly, it often causes ___ feelings and hurt.
7.Someone who derides others usually does not want to ___ or help them improve.