Mocking Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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mocking

[ˈmɒkɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

behavior

Teasing or making fun of someone in a cruel or sarcastic way. It often involves mimicking or imitating someone to belittle them.

Synonyms

deride, jeer, ridicule, taunt.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
mocking	Used when someone is imitating or making fun of another in a mean or disrespectful way. His mocking tone hurt her feelings. They were making mocking imitations of his accent.
ridicule	Used when someone is making fun of another to humiliate or show disdain. Often suggests a more public or harsh setting. She was ridiculed in front of the entire class. He couldn't bear the ridicule from his peers.
taunt	Used when someone is provoking or challenging another person with insulting remarks, often to incite a reaction. He taunted his opponent before the match. They taunted her relentlessly about her mistake.
jeer	Often used to describe shouting or laughing at someone in a way that shows a lack of respect, typically in a group setting. The audience began to jeer at the politician. They jeered at the opposing team after the game.
deride	Typically used in more formal or intellectual contexts to express that someone is treating others with contempt or scorn. This has a strong negative connotation. The critics derided the movie as a waste of time. She derided his attempts as foolish.

Examples of usage

She was mocking him for his poor performance.
Don't mock others, it's not nice.
He mocked her accent in front of everyone.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

emotion

An act of making fun of someone or something in a cruel or sarcastic way.

Synonyms

derision, jeering, ridicule, taunting.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
mocking	This word is used when making fun of someone in a disrespectful or contemptuous way. It often implies sarcasm. She spoke in a mocking tone, imitating his voice
ridicule	This word is used when someone is being made fun of in a way that shows a lack of respect for them. It can be used in both formal and informal situations. He faced ridicule from his colleagues after the presentation
taunting	This is used when someone is provoking or challenging another person in a mean or teasing manner, usually with the intent to upset or anger them. The bully kept taunting the new kid with cruel jokes
jeering	Jeering describes loud, rude, and mocking remarks usually made in a public setting, often by a crowd. The player was jeered by the opposing fans every time he touched the ball
derision	This term is used to express deep contempt combined with mockery, often involving laughter. It's more formal and severe than simple mocking. Her ideas were met with derision by the board members

Examples of usage

His mocking of her beliefs hurt her deeply.
The mocking of his appearance made him self-conscious.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Mocking can serve as a defense mechanism, allowing individuals to cope with insecurities by belittling others.
Research shows that mockery can affect the self-esteem of the person being mocked, often leading to feelings of isolation.
In group settings, mocking often reinforces social hierarchies as a way to solidify group identity against an 'other'.

Pop Culture

The mockingbird is significant in literature, symbolizing innocence and vulnerability, especially noted in Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.
Reality TV often incorporates mocking to make situations entertaining, reflecting social dynamics and relationships.
Internet culture has popularized formats like memes where mocking is used humorously to comment on viral content.

Literature

Many classic literary works use mocking as a form of satire to comment on society, like Shakespeare's plays.
Using the technique of irony, authors often mock societal norms, blending humor with critical thought.
Mocking dialogue in novels can reveal character traits, often exposing arrogance or ignorance.

Art

The concept of mockery appears in various art forms, notably in caricatures that exaggerate features for humorous effect.
Street art can often include mocking elements, critiquing political figures or social issues through satire.
In performance arts, mocking is used in comedy sketches to provide commentary on everyday situations.

Origin of 'mocking'

Main points about word origin

The word derives from the Old French 'mocquer', meaning to deride or make fun of.
Its roots can be traced back to the Latin word 'moccare', which means to make a face or to jest.
Mocking has historical usage in literature to convey characters' flaws or social critiques.

The word 'mocking' originated from the Old English word 'mācian' which meant 'to make, form, construct'. Over time, the meaning evolved to include the concept of mimicking or imitating in a derisive or contemptuous way. The term has been used in English literature and language to describe the act of teasing or ridiculing others.

See also: mock, mocker, mockery, mockingbird, mockingly.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,453, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

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14450 oscillating
14451 didactic
14452 contentious
14453 mocking
14454 mitigating
14455 unproductive
14456 babe
...