deride
/dɪˈɹaɪd/verb
To laugh at someone or something in a cruel, mocking way.
Example sentences
- “Critics derided the film as the worst release of the year.”
- “Classmates derided his old sneakers, but he wore them proudly anyway.”
Formal. The related noun is 'derision' and the adjective 'derisive'. Harsher than 'mock': it treats the target as worthless.