deride
What does "deride" mean?
To deride someone or something is to express contempt or ridicule toward them. Imagine someone pointing a finger and laughing mockingly at another person's mistake, or a critic writing a scathing, dismissive review of a new play; the core image is one of active scorn intended to make the target feel small or foolish. This word is significantly stronger and more formal than "mock" or "tease." It implies a sense of intellectual or moral superiority on the part of the speaker. It is commonly used in political or academic discourse, often appearing with prepositions like "deride as" (e.g., "they derided his plan as amateurish").
"deride" in conversation
Discussing a failed project
Everyone is deriding his proposal in the group chat.
Everyone is deriding his proposal in the group chat.
I know, it’s harsh, but they think it’s completely unfeasible.
I know, it’s harsh, but they think it’s completely unfeasible.
Shows how the word describes collective public criticism.
Reading a review
The critic derided the film for its lack of originality.
The critic derided the film for its lack of originality.
Ouch, that’s going to hurt their box office numbers.
Ouch, that’s going to hurt their box office numbers.
Highlights the word's frequent use in formal critiques.
"deride" in a sentence
It is cruel to deride others for their mistakes.
It is cruel to deride others for their mistakes.
The opposition party continued to deride the new policy as a desperate move.
The opposition party continued to deride the new policy as a desperate move.
Even the experts who once praised his work now deride his theories as mere fantasy.
Even the experts who once praised his work now deride his theories as mere fantasy.
