ridiculise

Ridiculise is a verb used mainly in British English to mean to subject someone or something to ridicule; to mock, deride, or laugh at as absurd. It can refer to ridiculing a person, an idea, an action, or an institution, often with the aim of making it seem ridiculous or contemptible. The term is more formal or literary than everyday slang and is typically encountered in writing, journalism, or debate.

Etymology and spelling variants: Ridiculise derives from the noun ridicule, which comes from Old French ridicule, from Latin ridiculus meaning laughable (from ridere, “to laugh”). In British English, the -ise suffix is standard, giving ridiculise. In American English, the corresponding verb form is usually ridiculize or, more commonly, simply ridicule in both noun and verb senses; ridiculize is much less common than ridiculed or ridicule.

Usage notes: Ridiculise carries a stronger negative connotation than more neutral terms like mock or joke. It is used to describe the act of portraying someone or something as worthy of contempt or scorn. It can be applied to statements, arguments, policies, or behaviors, and appears in critiques, editorials, and satirical writing. Common synonyms include mock, deride, lampoon, and ridicule; antonyms include praise, commend, or celebrate.

See also: ridicule (noun and verb), deride, mock, lampoon. While related, ridiculise emphasizes the act of making something appear ridiculous and is best suited to contexts where the aim is to undermine credibility or seriousness through laughter or scorn.