Ridiculisation

Ridiculisation refers to the act or process of making someone or something appear ridiculous through derision, mockery, or scorn. It can be executed through words, images, or behavior and may target individuals or groups. While humor may aim to entertain or critique, ridiculisation specifically seeks to undermine dignity and credibility by presenting the subject as ludicrous or contemptible.

The term ridiculisation (or ridiculization in American English) comes from the French ridiculiser "to laugh at" and the noun ridiculité, ultimately from Latin ridere "to laugh." In English, ridiculisation is used mainly in discussions of social practice and discourse, with British and some Commonwealth usage favoring ridiculisation.

Contexts include politics, journalism, advertising, and online culture, where ridiculisation can function as a rhetorical tactic, a form of satire, or a mechanism of social exclusion. It may be intentional (to embarrass an opponent) or emerge unintentionally from sarcasm, mock tone, or group norms.

Effects include reputational damage, reduced willingness to voice dissent, and stress or humiliation for targets. While ridicule can expose faults and prompt reflection, it can also normalize cruelty, polarize audiences, and obscure substantive critique behind ridicule.

Ethical and legal considerations vary by jurisdiction and context. Ridiculisation intersects with debates on freedom of expression, harassment, and hate speech, and platforms frequently grapple with moderation, truth-seeking, and harm reduction.

Related concepts include ridicule, satire, lampoon, mockery, bullying, and dehumanization.