Which term means 'to speak of or treat with contempt; to mock'?

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Multiple Choice

Which term means 'to speak of or treat with contempt; to mock'?

Explanation:
Deride means to speak of or treat with contempt; to mock. It conveys a sense of scornful him or her, often with derisive words or actions aimed at belittling something. The other options don’t fit this sense: deference is showing respect or regard, the opposite; desiccate means to dry out or drain of vitality; dirge is a mournful song for the deceased. In a sentence, you’d say critics deride a proposal, mocking its ideas rather than showing them respect.

Deride means to speak of or treat with contempt; to mock. It conveys a sense of scornful him or her, often with derisive words or actions aimed at belittling something. The other options don’t fit this sense: deference is showing respect or regard, the opposite; desiccate means to dry out or drain of vitality; dirge is a mournful song for the deceased. In a sentence, you’d say critics deride a proposal, mocking its ideas rather than showing them respect.

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