Mock vs. Scorn — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 3, 2024
Mock involves imitating or mimicking in jest or derision, often without direct interaction; scorn denotes contempt or disdain, typically expressed directly and seriously.
Difference Between Mock and Scorn
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Mocking usually involves mimicry or playful imitation to ridicule or tease, often in a lighthearted manner. Scorn, on the other hand, is a harsher form of derision, characterized by open disrespect or disdain.
People mock others through humorous imitation or sarcastic behavior, often in a social or informal context. Whereas scorn is expressed through dismissive remarks, facial expressions, or actions that convey a strong sense of superiority.
Mockery can sometimes be seen as a form of social bonding when done among friends, where the intent is more comedic than harmful. In contrast, scorn is typically isolating and intended to make the recipient feel degraded or unworthy.
While mockery might not always be intended to hurt feelings and can be part of playful banter, scorn is almost always negative and used to belittle or insult the recipient.
Although both can be used as tools for social criticism, mocking tends to be subtler and more nuanced, whereas scorn is direct and straightforward, leaving little room for ambiguity about the disapproval being expressed.
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Comparison Chart
Intent
To tease or joke, often lightly
To express contempt seriously
Method
Mimicry, imitation, sarcasm
Dismissive remarks, disdainful looks
Emotional Tone
Can be playful or light
Harsh, serious
Social Context
Can strengthen bonds in groups
Often isolates the target
Potential for Misunderstanding
High, can be taken lightly
Low, clearly negative
Compare with Definitions
Mock
To simulate or pretend; often used in software testing.
The developer used a mock server to test the application.
Scorn
Open or unqualified contempt.
His refusal to answer was met with scorn.
Mock
To make fun of something with contempt or ridicule.
She mocked the new policy as overly complicated.
Scorn
An expression of derision or disdain.
His face twisted in scorn when he spoke of the incident.
Mock
To imitate in jest or derision.
The comedian mocked celebrities during his performance.
Scorn
To reject or dismiss as unworthy.
She scorned their apology as insincere.
Mock
To mimic someone humorously or derisively.
He would mock his friend's accent in a friendly manner.
Scorn
To feel or express contempt or derision.
He scorns the very idea of dishonest gain.
Mock
To challenge or defy, often in a mocking manner.
The startup mocks convention by ignoring established market rules.
Scorn
To mock or jeer at contemptuously.
They were scorned by their peers for their failures.
Mock
Tease or laugh at in a scornful or contemptuous manner
Opposition MPs mocked the government's decision
Scorn
A feeling and expression of contempt or disdain for someone or something
I do not wish to become the object of scorn
Mock
Make a replica or imitation of something.
Scorn
Feel or express contempt or disdain for
The minister scorned Labour's attempt to woo voters
Mock
Not authentic or real, but without the intention to deceive
Jim threw up his hands in mock horror
A mock-Georgian red brick house
Scorn
Contempt or disdain felt toward a person or object considered despicable or unworthy
Viewed his rivals with scorn.
Mock
Mock examinations
Obtaining Grade A in mocks
Scorn
The expression of such an attitude in behavior or speech; derision
Heaped scorn upon his rivals.
Mock
An object of derision
He has become the mock of all his contemporaries
Scorn
The state of being despised or dishonored
Held in scorn by his rivals.
Mock
To treat with ridicule or contempt; deride
Was mocked for contradicting himself.
Mocked her superficial understanding of the issues.
Scorn
(Archaic) One spoken of or treated with contempt.
Mock
To imitate in fun or derision
Mocked his high-pitched voice.
Scorn
To consider or treat as contemptible or unworthy
An artist who was scorned by conservative critics.
Mock
To mimic or resemble closely
A whistle that mocks the call of seabirds.
Scorn
To reject or refuse with derision
Scorned their offer of help.
Mock
To frustrate the hopes or intentions of
"The massive blister mocked my efforts" (Willie Morris).
Scorn
To consider or reject (doing something) as beneath one's dignity
"She disapproved so heartily of Flora's plan that she would have scorned to assist in the concoction of a single oily sentence" (Stella Gibbons).
Mock
To cause to appear irrelevant, ineffectual, or impossible
"The Depression mocked the Puritan assumption that failure in life was the wages of sin when even the hardest-working, most pious husbands began to lose hope" (Walter McDougall).
Scorn
(transitive) To feel or display contempt or disdain for something or somebody; to despise.
Mock
To express scorn or ridicule; jeer
They mocked at the idea.
Scorn
(transitive) To reject, turn down.
He scorned her romantic advances.
Mock
The act of mocking.
Scorn
(transitive) To refuse to do something, as beneath oneself.
She scorned to show weakness.
Mock
An object of scorn or derision
Became the mock of his associates.
Scorn
(intransitive) To scoff, to express contempt.
Mock
Simulated; false; sham
A mock battle.
Scorn
(uncountable) Contempt or disdain.
Mock
In an insincere or pretending manner
Mock sorrowful.
Scorn
(countable) A display of disdain; a slight.
Mock
An imitation, usually of lesser quality.
Scorn
(countable) An object of disdain, contempt, or derision.
Mock
; the act of mocking.
Scorn
Extreme and lofty contempt; haughty disregard; that disdain which springs from the opinion of the utter meanness and unworthiness of an object.
Scorn at first makes after love the more.
And wandered backward as in scorn,To wait an æon to be born.
Mock
A practice exam set by an educating institution to prepare students for an important exam.
He got a B in his History mock, but improved to an A in the exam.
Scorn
An act or expression of extreme contempt.
Every sullen frown and bitter scornBut fanned the fuel that too fast did burn.
Mock
(software engineering) A mockup or prototype; particularly, mock object, as used in unit testing.
Scorn
An object of extreme disdain, contempt, or derision.
Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.
Mock
To mimic, to simulate.
Scorn
To hold in extreme contempt; to reject as unworthy of regard; to despise; to contemn; to disdain.
I scorn thy meat; 't would choke me.
This my long sufferance, and my day of grace,Those who neglect and scorn shall never taste.
We scorn what is in itself contemptible or disgraceful.
Mock
(rare) To create an artistic representation of.
Scorn
To treat with extreme contempt; to make the object of insult; to mock; to scoff at; to deride.
His fellow, that lay by his bed's side,Gan for to laugh, and scorned him full fast.
To taunt and scorn you thus opprobriously.
Mock
To make fun of, especially by mimicking; to taunt.
Scorn
To scoff; to mock; to show contumely, derision, or reproach; to act disdainfully.
He said mine eyes were black and my hair black,And, now I am remembered, scorned at me.
Mock
To tantalise, and disappoint the hopes of.
Scorn
Lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike;
He was held in contempt
The despite in which outsiders were held is legendary
Mock
To create a mockup or prototype of.
Scorn
Open disrespect for a person or thing
Mock
Imitation, not genuine; fake.
Mock leather
Mock trial
Mock turtle-soup
Scorn
Look down on with disdain;
He despises the people he has to work for
The professor scorns the students who don't catch on immediately
Mock
To imitate; to mimic; esp., to mimic in sport, contempt, or derision; to deride by mimicry.
To see the life as lively mocked as everStill sleep mocked death.
Mocking marriage with a dame of France.
Scorn
Reject with contempt;
She spurned his advances
Mock
To treat with scorn or contempt; to deride.
Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud.
Let not ambition mock their useful toil.
Mock
To disappoint the hopes of; to deceive; to tantalize; as, to mock expectation.
Thou hast mocked me, and told me lies.
He will not . . . Mock us with his blest sight, then snatch him hence.
Mock
To make sport in contempt or in jest; to speak in a scornful or jeering manner.
When thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
She had mocked at his proposal.
Mock
An act of ridicule or derision; a scornful or contemptuous act or speech; a sneer; a jibe; a jeer.
Fools make a mock at sin.
Mock
Imitation; mimicry.
Mock
Imitating reality, but not real; false; counterfeit; assumed; sham.
That superior greatness and mock majesty.
Mock
The act of mocking or ridiculing;
They made a mock of him
Mock
Treat with contempt;
The new constitution mocks all democratic principles
Mock
Imitate with mockery and derision;
The children mocked their handicapped classmate
Mock
Constituting a copy or imitation of something;
Boys in mock battle
Common Curiosities
What is the main difference between mocking and scorning?
Mocking is often playful and humorous, while scorning is serious and expresses contempt.
Can mocking be friendly?
Yes, mocking can sometimes serve as a form of bonding among friends.
Is scorn ever positive?
No, scorn is typically negative and used to express disdain or contempt.
What are common reactions to being scorned?
Common reactions include feeling hurt, isolated, or motivated to change behavior to avoid further scorn.
Can mockery lead to misunderstandings?
Yes, because it's often playful, it can be misunderstood as friendly when it's not intended as such.
Can mocking be harmful?
Yes, even playful mocking can sometimes hurt feelings or lead to misunderstandings, especially if the target doesn't perceive it as humorous.
Is it acceptable to mock someone in professional settings?
Generally, mocking in professional settings is discouraged as it can undermine respect and professionalism.
How do people usually show scorn?
Through dismissive comments, disdainful looks, or openly rejecting something.
Can mockery influence societal attitudes?
Yes, mockery, especially in media such as satire, can influence public opinion and societal attitudes towards certain topics.
How is mocking used in a positive context?
Mocking can be used positively in humor and satire to address and critique societal issues in a light-hearted manner.
Does scorning have a social function?
Scorn can serve a social function by reinforcing social norms and expressing collective disapproval of certain behaviors or ideas.
Are there cultural differences in how mocking and scorn are perceived?
Yes, perceptions of mocking and scorn can vary significantly across cultures, with some seeing them as more acceptable or more hurtful than others.
How can one respond effectively to being mocked?
Responses can include addressing the behavior directly, using humor to defuse the situation, or ignoring the mockery.
How can parents teach children about the effects of mocking and scorning others?
Parents can teach empathy and the impact of words, encouraging children to consider how their actions affect others.
What psychological effects can scorn have on an individual?
Scorn can lead to decreased self-esteem, feelings of rejection, and even social anxiety.
What should someone do if they realize they have scorned another unfairly?
It’s advisable to apologize sincerely and make efforts to understand and respect the feelings of the person scorned.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
