mindmap root((嘲笑)) ridicule implies a deliberate often malicious belittling: consistently ~d everything she said. deride suggests a contemptuous and often bitter ridiculing: ~d their efforts to start their own business. mock implies a scornful deriding often ironically expressed by mimicry or sham deference: youngsters began to ~ the helpless old man. taunt suggests a jeeringly reproachful insult or derisive challenging: terrorists ~ed the hostages. twit usually suggests mild or good-humored teasing: students ~ted their teacher about his tardiness.