mockery

/ˈmɒkəri/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmɑːkəri/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmä-k(ə-)rē ˈmȯ-/ (ame, mw)

mockery — noun

1. unkind laughter, remarks, or behaviour that treat a person or thing as foolish a

1.名詞C1
釋義

unkind laughter, remarks, or behaviour that treat a person or thing as foolish and beneath respect.

例句

The rude boys turned Ritu's careful speech practice into mockery at lunch.

turn something into mockery

Online mockery followed the singer after one cracked note during the concert.

同義詞
  • ridicule

    more direct and often more public, especially in speech or writing.

  • derision

    more formal and puts stronger weight on contempt.

  • taunting

    often repeated or provocative, especially toward a person.

反義詞
  • respect

    treating someone or something as worthy of serious regard.

  • praise

    openly showing approval instead of trying to belittle the target.

文法句型

mockery of someone/something

face mockery

turn something into mockery

用法筆記

Often followed by of when naming the target. This sense focuses on people showing contempt, unlike sense 2, which describes a serious thing becoming absurd through failure.

常見錯誤

❌People did mockery at his accent.
✅People mocked his accent.' / 'His accent was the subject of mockery.
💡mockery is a noun, not a verb.

2. something that should be serious, fair, or useful but instead seems absurd becau

2.名詞C1
釋義

something that should be serious, fair, or useful but instead seems absurd because it is handled so badly.

例句

The five-minute trial made a mockery of justice for the grieving family.

make a mockery of something

The unfinished bridge became a mockery of the mayor's grand promise.

be a mockery of something

同義詞
  • farce

    stresses chaotic absurdity, especially in public events.

  • travesty

    more formal and stronger, often used when something feels offensively wrong.

  • joke

    more informal and less precise, but often used for failed systems or plans.

反義詞
  • credit

    something that reflects well on the institution or person behind it.

  • model

    an example that shows how something should be done properly.

文法句型

a mockery of something

make a mockery of something

become a mockery

用法筆記

Very often used in the pattern make a mockery of something. Unlike sense 1, the target is usually a system, plan, or principle rather than a person being laughed at.

常見錯誤

❌The late train was mockery.
✅The late train was a mockery of the new timetable.
💡this sense usually needs an article and often names what serious thing was made ridiculous.

3. a copy or performance that imitates someone or something in a joking or insultin

3.名詞C2
釋義

a copy or performance that imitates someone or something in a joking or insulting way.

例句

Hugo's mockery of the coach copied every cough and hand wave.

mockery of a person's manner

The play ended with a mockery of a famous perfume advertisement.

同義詞
  • parody

    more neutral and often more artistic, without always sounding cruel.

  • caricature

    often exaggerates visible features or habits in a drawing or performance.

  • imitation

    neutral and broader; it does not automatically imply teasing.

反義詞
  • tribute

    an imitation that shows admiration rather than mockery.

  • homage

    a respectful echo of an earlier style, work, or person.

文法句型

a mockery of something

gentle mockery of something

comic mockery of something

用法筆記

This sense is close to parody, but mockery keeps the teasing or insulting attitude in the foreground. It can be playful, yet it still points at a target by copying it.

常見錯誤

❌Her sketch was a mockery for the old movie.
✅Her sketch was a mockery of the old movie.
💡use of before the person, work, or style being copied.