Deride

/dɪˈɹaɪd/

Synonyms for "deride" (172 found)

Ranked by relevance and common usage.

Closest matches (35)

Strong matches (51)

feel superior tofloutget freshget smartgibegrin athave a nervehave the cheekhave the gallhisshold beneath onehold cheaphold in contempthold in derisioninsultjeer atjollykidknocklaugh
Show 8 more words
laugh atlaugh to scornlook down uponloutmake boldmake fun ofmake game ofmake merry with

Related words (86)

Show 25 more words
scoff atscornscoutset at defianceset at naughtslightslight oversmile atsnapsneer atsneeze atsnicker atsniff atsnigger atsnipesnortsnort atsporttake libertiestauntteasethink nothing ofthumbtreat with contempttwit
Adjective(1 words)

Choosing the right synonym

  • Closest matches in this entry: ridicule, asperse, badger, bam, banter.
  • Sentence evidence is available for deride, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
  • Ranking signals come from wiktionary, opengloss, derived_reverse, moby, and related lexical sources.

Synonym selection checklist

  • Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
  • Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
  • Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "deride".
  • Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.

When not to replace "deride"

Keep "deride" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.

If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.

Replacement workflow

1. Preserve meaning

Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "deride" intact in the sentence you are editing.

2. Tune tone

Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.

3. Re-read context

Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.

Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.

Final fit check

After choosing a replacement for "deride", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.

If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "deride" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.

Related word relations

OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.

5 relation types

More general

4 entries

More specific

4 entries

Collocations

6 entries
deride a proposalderide asderide publiclyderide scholarly workderide the evidencederide the theory

Inflections

3 entries

Derivations

4 entries

Sample sentences

18 total sentences available.

Tatoeba + Wiktionary

The truth is incontrovertible. Panic may resent it, ignorance may deride it, malice may distort it, but there it is.

Source: tatoeba (397690)

One should never deride the wretch, for who can be sure of always being happy?

Source: tatoeba (1366312)

The truth is incontrovertible. Panic may resent it, ignorance may deride it, malice may distort it but there it is.

Source: tatoeba (2048862)

You mustn't deride him.

Source: tatoeba (8323297)

Showing 4 of 18 available sentences.

Common questions

What are the closest synonyms for "deride"?

Closest matches include ridicule, asperse, badger, bam, banter.

How should I check whether a synonym fits "deride"?

Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.

More for "deride"