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mockery

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈmɑkɝi// UK //mˈɒkəɹi// mock·ery Archaic

n. the act of making fun of someone or something in a mean way. It often involves copying someone's voice or behavior to make them look silly.

n. contemptuous or derisive ridicule; the act of imitating someone or something in a way that highlights perceived flaws or absurdities.


SIMPLE

His constant mockery of the teacher got him into trouble.

CONTEXTUAL

The comedian's mockery of the politician's speech was so accurate that the audience couldn't stop laughing.

COMPLEX

The trial was a complete mockery of justice, as the judge had clearly decided on the verdict before the defense had even presented its first witness.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English mokkery, from Anglo-Norman mokerie, mokery and Middle French mocquerie, moquerie, from moquer, moker (“to mock”) + -erie (“-ery”), perhaps from Byzantine Greek μωκός (mōkós, “mocker”), perhaps from Arabic مَكْر (makr, “scheme, plot”). Equivalent to mock + -ery.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the general act of ridicule; countable when referring to a specific instance or a failed imitation ('a mockery of').

Pitfall

He made a mockery about the rulesHe made a mockery of the rulesThe idiom 'to make a mockery of' always takes the preposition 'of' to indicate the subject being ridiculed.

Idioms1 entry

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