Mockery vs. Ridicule — What's the Difference?

An absurd misrepresentation.

Language or behavior intended to mock or humiliate.

Making fun of something by imitation.

Verbal derision targeting one's flaws or mistakes.

An act of derisive imitation.

The act of using words, gestures, images, or other products of expression to evoke laughter or contemptuous feelings regarding a person or thing

An object of ridicule.

The words or other products of expression used in this way

Something so lacking it's laughable.

To expose to ridicule; make fun of.

Mockery or mocking is the act of insulting or making light of a person or other thing, sometimes merely by taunting, but often by making a caricature, purporting to engage in imitation in a way that highlights unflattering characteristics. Mockery can be done in a lighthearted and gentle way, but can also be cruel and hateful, such that it "conjures images of corrosion, deliberate degradation, even subversion; thus, 'to laugh at in contempt, to make sport of' (OED)".

(transitive) to criticize or disapprove of someone or something through scornful jocularity; to make fun of

Scornfully contemptuous ridicule; derision.

Derision; mocking or humiliating words or behaviour

A specific act of ridicule or derision

An object of sport or laughter; a laughing stock.

An object of scorn or ridicule

The quality of being ridiculous; ridiculousness.

A false, derisive, or impudent imitation

A small woman's handbag; a reticule.

Something ludicrously futile or unsuitable

(obsolete) ridiculous

The action of mocking; ridicule, derision.

An object of sport or laughter; a laughingstock; a laughing matter.

Something so lacking in necessary qualities as to inspire ridicule; a laughing-stock.

Remarks concerning a subject or a person designed to excite laughter with a degree of contempt; wit of that species which provokes contemptuous laughter; disparagement by making a person an object of laughter; banter; - a term lighter than derision.

(obsolete) Something insultingly imitative; an offensively futile action, gesture etc.

Quality of being ridiculous; ridiculousness.

Mimicry, imitation, now usually in a derogatory sense; a travesty, a ridiculous simulacrum.

To laugh at mockingly or disparagingly; to awaken ridicule toward or respecting.

The act of mocking, deriding, and exposing to contempt, by mimicry, by insincere imitation, or by a false show of earnestness; a counterfeit appearance.

Ridiculous.

Insulting or contemptuous action or speech; contemptuous merriment; derision; ridicule.

Language or behavior intended to mock or humiliate

Subject of laughter, derision, or sport.

The act of deriding or treating with contempt

Showing your contempt by derision

Subject to laughter or ridicule;

A composition that imitates somebody's style in a humorous way

The act of deriding or laughing at someone.

Humorous or satirical mimicry

Sharp and mocking criticism or scorn.

An act of making fun of someone to belittle them.

Yes, mockery can sometimes be affectionate or comedic without malice, especially among friends.

Generally, ridicule has a negative connotation, but context matters. Some might see it as playful banter, but it can be hurtful to others.

Both can be harmful, especially when used maliciously. The impact depends on the context and the individuals involved.

Yes, for instance, rolling one's eyes in an exaggerated manner or mimicking someone's gestures silently.

Absolutely. Both are used as literary devices to evoke emotion or highlight certain aspects of characters.

Yes, caricatures often exaggerate features for comedic effect, which can be seen as a form of mockery.

Mostly, ridicule is verbal, targeting someone with scornful words or laughter.

Imitating someone's walk or actions in an exaggerated manner is a form of non-verbal mockery.

Responses can vary: ignoring, addressing it calmly, using humor, or seeking support.