RIDICULE • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Ridicule

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/rˈɪdəkjˌul/ Listen

noun

Ridicule n.

1.

An object of sport or laughter; a laughingstock; a laughing matter. "(Marlborough) was so miserably ignorant, that his deficiencies made him the ridicule of his contemporaries." "To the people... but a trifle, to the king but a ridicule."

2.

Remarks concerning a subject or a person designed to excite laughter with a degree of contempt; wit of that species which provokes contemptuous laughter; disparagement by making a person an object of laughter; banter; a term lighter than derision. "We have in great measure restricted the meaning of ridicule, which would properly extend over whole region of the ridiculous, the laughable, and we have narrowed it so that in common usage it mostly corresponds to "derision", which does indeed involve personal and offensive feelings." "Safe from the bar, the pulpit, and the throne, Yet touched and shamed by ridicule alone."

3.

Quality of being ridiculous; ridiculousness. (Obs.) "To see the ridicule of this practice."

Synonyms: Derision; banter; raillery; burlesque; mockery; irony; satire; sarcasm; gibe; jeer; sneer; ribbing. Ridicule, Derision, mockery, ribbing: All four words imply disapprobation; but ridicule and mockery may signify either good-natured opposition without manifest malice, or more maliciously, an attempt to humiliate. Derision is commonly bitter and scornful, and sometimes malignant. ribbing is almost always good-natured and fun-loving.

verb

Ridicule v. t. (past & past part. ridiculed;pres. part. ridiculing) To laugh at mockingly or disparagingly; to awaken ridicule toward or respecting. "I 've known the young, who ridiculed his rage."

Synonyms: To deride; banter; rally; burlesque; mock; satirize; lampoon. See Deride.

adjective

Ridicule adj. Ridiculous. (Obs.) "This action... became so ridicule."

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Etymology of 'Ridicule'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Ridicule" Quotes from Famous Books

... ship's company except the men in the engine department, who were made aware of the danger by the inrushing water, was to make light of and in some instances even to ridicule the thought of danger ...

— Sinking of the Titanic - and Great Sea Disasters • Various

... soon be dry and warm," Dick called backward over his shoulder. The four who had been badly wet ran heavily now, yet afraid of ridicule if they fell out. They were having their first taste of High School sports, which made ...

— The High School Freshmen - Dick & Co.'s First Year Pranks and Sports • H. Irving Hancock

... Nott entered the cabin. But the complacency with which he viewed the evident perfect understanding of the pair was destined to suffer some abatement. Rosey, suddenly conscious that she was in some way participating in the ridicule of her father through his unhappy gift, became embarrassed. Mr. Renshaw's restraint returned with the presence of the old man. In vain, at first, Abner Nott strove with profound levity to indicate his arch comprehension of ...

— Frontier Stories • Bret Harte

... foreboding words; but it was always in her eyes, as they followed me wherever I went with a mute, pathetic anxiety. No assurances of mine, no assumed cheerfulness and fortitude could remove it. I even tried to laugh at it, but my laugh only brought the tears into her eyes. Neither reason nor ridicule could root it out—a root of ...

— The Doctor's Dilemma • Hesba Stretton

... he dubbed La Romantica, was the special victim of his wrath and ridicule. Where had she picked up so many tastes which he and his good China never had had? Music books were piled on the piano. In a corner of the absurd parlor were some wooden boxes that had held preserves, which the ranch carpenter had been made to press ...

— The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse • Vicente Blasco Ibanez

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