ridiculiser

Ridiculiser is a French verb meaning to ridicule or to make someone or something appear ridiculous. It can refer to a deliberate act of mockery, derision, or belittlement and is used for persons, ideas, or behaviors. As a transitive verb, it takes a direct object: on ridiculise quelqu'un; on ridiculise une idée.

Etymology: The verb is formed from the noun ridicule with the suffix -iser, following common patterns in French verb formation. The noun ridicule derives from Latin ridiculum, via Old French ridicule, and means mockery or laughable quality. The meaning of ridiculiser thus centers on producing or emphasizing ridicule.

Usage notes: Ridiculiser carries a pejorative sense and is often employed in journalism, critique, and everyday speech to express that something is worthy of mockery or not to be taken seriously. It can be used in a satirical or condemnatory context; in many cases it connotes intent to undermine or discredit. Moderate or ironic use occurs in literary or humorous contexts; stronger usage can be insulting.

See also: In English, ridiculiser corresponds to to ridicule. Related expressions include tourner en ridicule (to mock, ridicule), se moquer de (to mock), and ridiculisation as a noun form meaning the act or process of ridiculizing.