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Home/USA Today Rootonym/To laugh at in scorn or with contempt; to mock or make fun of (verb)

To laugh at in scorn or with contempt; to mock or make fun of (verb)

Nora WhitfieldNora Whitfield Crossword Editor · Verified answers

Looking for the answer to the USA Today Rootonym clue “To laugh at in scorn or with contempt; to mock or make fun of (verb)”? The solution is DERIDE, a 6-letter word built on the root RID (“laugh”). It appeared in the July 16, 2026 (Thursday) USA Today Rootonym. See the full puzzle for that day's other words.

Answer
DERIDE
**RID*RIDmeans “laugh”

In a sentence

Grandma will DERIDE new gadgets as unacceptable and useless for her needs.

About this clue

The Rootonym clue “To laugh at in scorn or with contempt; to mock or make fun of (verb)” has the answer DERIDE (6 letters), built on the root RID, which means “laugh”. Browse the full July 16, 2026 Rootonym puzzle for the other three words, or see all Rootonym answers.

Related clues from this puzzle

Absurd; worthy of or deserving contemptuous laughter (adjective) Capable of causing laughter; able or inclined to laugh; amusing; ludicrous (adjective) Characterized by or expressing ridicule, insult or mockery (adjective)
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