Ridiculer

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Characterized by causing laughter or derision; evoking a sense of mockery through absurdity or extreme behavior; intended to provoke amusement or scorn through exaggeration or foolishness
2. Describing something that induces laughter or contempt; often marked by actions or appearances that invite ridicule through their nonsensical nature; aiming to entertain while highlighting the ridiculous
3. Pertaining to the act of making someone or something a figure of fun; creating humor through absurdity or ridicule; focused on eliciting light-hearted scorn or laughter toward an object of jest

Etymology: "Ridiculer" is a plain agent-style formation: the noun "ridicule" with the suffix "-er" attached, giving the sense of one who ridicules. "Ridicule" itself came into English from French "ridicule," which was borrowed from Latin "ridiculus," meaning laughable or funny, and that Latin adjective derives from "ridere," to laugh. The suffix does the work here. English has long attached "-er" to verbs and nouns to name a person or thing that performs an action, as with "singer" or "teacher." Adding it to "ridicule" produces a word for someone who mocks others, though the form is less common than "mocker" or "scoffer," which English speakers reach for more readily.

Synonyms: mock, deride, tease, make fun of, taunt

Antonyms: praise, compliment, admire, respect