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Deride vs Scoff - What's the difference?

deride | scoff | Synonyms |

Scoff is a synonym of deride.



As verbs the difference between deride and scoff

is that deride is to harshly mock; ridicule while scoff is to jeer; laugh at with contempt and derision.

As a noun scoff is

derision; ridicule; a derisive or mocking expression of scorn, contempt, or reproach.

deride

English

Verb

(derid)
  • To harshly mock; ridicule.

    • Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * derider * deridingly

    Related terms

    * derision * derisive * ridicule * ridiculous * ridiculosity

    External links

    * * ----

    scoff

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) scof/skof, of Scandinavian origin. Compare (etyl) skaup, Danish skuffelse(noun)/skuffe(verb) and Old High German scoph.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Derision; ridicule; a derisive or mocking expression of scorn, contempt, or reproach.
  • * Shakespeare
    • With scoffs , and scorns, and contumelious taunts.
  • * 1852 , The Dublin University Magazine (page 66)
    • There were sneers, and scoffs , and inuendoes of some; prophecies of failure in a hundred ways
  • An object of scorn, mockery, or derision.
  • * Cowper
    • The scoff of withered age and beardless youth.
    Synonyms
    * derision, ridicule * See also

    Verb

  • To jeer; laugh at with contempt and derision.
  • * Goldsmith
    • Truth from his lips prevailed with double sway, / And fools who came to scoff , remained to pray.
    Synonyms
    * contemn, deride, sneer

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl).

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (South Africa) Food.

    • Verb

  • (British) To eat food quickly.
  • (South Africa) To eat.
    • Synonyms
    * (eat quickly) (l), (l) (US)

    See also

    * scuff