verb
deride
dih-RYDE/dɪˈraɪd/
To mock someone or something with contempt.
The man derides the crooked vase while its hurt maker holds it protectively.
Etymology
“Down” joined to “laugh” gives the image of laughing someone down. The Latin verb already meant laughing to scorn, making contempt central to the word’s meaning.
In context
Upon this the men began to deride him and to quote past words, till step by step, with deprecating smirks, oily grins, and leers
More examples
- Her classmates derided her ambition to become an astronaut.
- He derides anyone who asks for help as weak.
- Instead of deriding their proposal, explain why it won't work.
Forms
deride · derides · derided · deriding
derision noun — Mockery that expresses contempt or scorn.
derisive adjective — Expressing contempt through mockery or ridicule.