What does deride mean?
To deride is to speak of or treat someone or something with contemptuous ridicule — to mock it openly as foolish, absurd, or unworthy of respect. The verb is transitive, taking the object being scorned, and often appears in constructions such as "critics derided the policy as naive." Deride belongs chiefly to formal writing and journalism, where it describes public mockery of ideas, works of art, political positions, or individuals. Its connotation is unambiguously negative: it implies more than criticism, suggesting sneering dismissal rather than reasoned objection. The word derives from the Latin deridere, formed from de- ('down') plus ridere ('to laugh'), so its literal sense is 'to laugh at scornfully'. This same Latin root gives us ridicule, ridiculous, and risible. Related forms include the nouns derision and the adjectives derisive, as in 'a derisive laugh'. Because it names an act of contempt rather than simple disapproval, deride is a precise choice when writers want to convey open, mocking disdain.
verbTo express contempt for someone or something by ridicule or scornful mockery; to treat as laughable or unworthy of serious consideration.
- To ridicule or express contempt for a person, idea, or thing through scornful laughter or mocking remarks.
"Critics derided the plan as unrealistic and hopelessly underfunded."
"The senator derided her opponent's economic proposals during the debate."
"Early reviewers derided the novel, though it later became a classic."
When you deride someone, you're literally 'laughing down' at them — the word comes straight from Latin ridere, 'to laugh', making mockery its original DNA.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of deride
Deride comes from the Latin deridere, meaning 'to laugh at, mock', formed from the prefix de- (here intensifying or meaning 'down upon') and ridere, 'to laugh'. The English verb was borrowed into the language in the early 16th century, likely through French dérider influence or direct Latin borrowing. It shares its Latin root with ridicule, ridiculous, and risible, all descendants of ridere. The noun derision entered English earlier, via Old French.
Related word forms
How deride is actually used
"Deride" is formal in register and typically appears in written or journalistic contexts rather than casual speech. It carries a strongly negative connotation, implying not mere disagreement but contemptuous dismissal. It is usually transitive and frequently followed by "as" when introducing what the target is portrayed to be.
Easily confused with deride
To decry is to publicly condemn something as wrong or harmful, while to deride is to mock it as foolish or laughable.