Deride
mediumNegative tonedih-RYD
verb
Definition
To mock or ridicule someone
Memory hook
DE-RIDE: to laugh DOWN at someone — mocking and ridiculing them.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“The critics derided the actor's performance as the worst in the film's history.”
“He refused to deride his competitors despite having the opportunity to do so.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“The critics ______ the actor's performance as the worst in the film's history.”
Show answer
derided
Categories
GRE Tip
Deride is a medium-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "mock" or "ridicule" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "praise".
Related GRE Words
berate
To scold or criticize someone angrily and at length
decry
To publicly denounce or criticize
denigrate
To criticize unfairly; to disparage or belittle
admonish
To warn or reprimand someone firmly
allude
To suggest or call attention to indirectly; to hint at
allusion
An indirect reference, especially to something in literature or history
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