What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ridiculed
Example
The new student was ridiculed by his classmates for his accent. [ridiculed: verb]
Example
She felt embarrassed and ashamed after being ridiculed in front of her colleagues. [ridiculed: past participle]
teased
Example
He teased his little sister about her new haircut, but she knew he was just joking. [teased: verb]
Example
The group of friends often teased each other about their quirks and habits. [teased: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tease is more commonly used than ridicule in everyday language. Tease is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ridicule is less common and has a more negative connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ridiculed and teased?
Both ridicule and tease are informal words, but ridicule is more likely to be used in a formal context to describe a serious situation, such as bullying or harassment.
