deride

The word "deride" comes from the Latin word "deridēre," which means "to laugh at" or "to scorn." This Latin word is a combination of "de-" meaning "down" or "away," and "ridēre," meaning "to laugh." The sense of "deride" involves the notion of laughing someone or something down, mocking or scornfully ridiculing them. The word has been in use in English since the late 15th century, maintaining the meaning of expressing contempt or ridicule.