Basic Details
Word: Mockery
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Words or actions that make fun of someone in an unkind way; also something so bad or unfair that it seems ridiculous.
Synonyms: ridicule, scorn, derision, teasing
Antonyms: respect, praise, admiration
Word origin: Comes from Old French moquerie, from moquer, to mock.
How to Spell Mockery
Syllables: mock - er - y
Tricky part: Mock keeps its ck, and the ending is ery, not ary.
Watch out for: mockary, mokery, mockerry
Memory tip: Mock + ery = mockery, the same way cook + ery = cookery.
Idioms and Phrases
- make a mockery of something: to make something seem silly or useless Example: "Copying in the exam makes a mockery of all the hard work others have done."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The cartoon was a gentle mockery of politicians.
Example 2: She ignored their mockery and kept practising her dance.
Example 3: His mockery of the younger players upset the whole team.
Fun Fact
The mockingbird of the Americas is named for its habit of copying the songs of other birds and even sounds such as car alarms.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the word opposite in meaning to mockery as used in the sentence:
The new boy's accent became a target of mockery in his first week, until the class monitor stepped in.
a) respect
b) teasing
c) scorn
d) ridicule
Show answer
a) respect. Mockery makes fun of someone, while respect values them; the other three are synonyms.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
The clown's ykcoemr of the strict ringmaster made the whole circus tent roar with laughter.
a) mockery
b) mystery
c) misery
d) mastery
Show answer
a) mockery. With c, k and o among the letters, the only fit is mockery.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
mockkery
a) k
b) c
c) e
d) r
Show answer
a) k. Mock has one k after the c, so mockery has ck, not ckk.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. If cheating makes a mockery of a tournament, it ____.
a) makes the contest seem pointless
b) makes every match fairer
c) helps the best team win
d) brings in more spectators
Show answer
a) makes the contest seem pointless
2. Which action would show mockery?
a) helping a classmate with a sum
b) clapping after a classmate's speech
c) copying a classmate's stammer to get a laugh
d) lending a classmate a pencil
Show answer
c) copying a classmate's stammer to get a laugh
