1
Core action
Mock, ridicule, or treat someone or something with contempt.
Example
Contemporary critics derided the proposal as impractical.
deride
/dɪˈraɪd/ · dih-RYDEverb
Mock, ridicule, or treat someone or something with contempt.
Use deride to express this relationship precisely: mock, ridicule, or treat someone or something with contempt.
What deride Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common construction
Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.
Example
The essay explains the theory rather than deriding its supporters.
3
Reasoning effect
It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.
Example
Reviewers initially derided the unfamiliar style, which later became influential.
Use deride Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
Contemporary critics derided the proposal as impractical.
The essay explains the theory rather than deriding its supporters.
Reviewers initially derided the unfamiliar style, which later became influential.
Precision Matters
Deride overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
deride
vs.Means mock, ridicule, or treat someone or something with contempt.
denigrate
Means criticise unfairly or disparage someone or something in a way that damages reputation or value.
deride
vs.Means mock, ridicule, or treat someone or something with contempt.
repudiate
Means reject a claim, belief, agreement, or association as false, invalid, or unacceptable.
deride
vs.Means mock, ridicule, or treat someone or something with contempt.
rebut
Means to argue against a claim by offering contrary reasoning or evidence.
deride
vs.Means mock, ridicule, or treat someone or something with contempt.
magnanimous
Means generous, forgiving, and noble in spirit, especially toward a rival or defeated opponent.
Test deride in Context
They mock and ridicule the invention dismissively.
1
Several commentators chose to ___ the invention as a toy instead of examining its practical uses.