Characterized by or given to making oneself the object of ridicule or mockery. This involves using humor, often in a self-deprecating manner, to diminish one's own importance, flaws, or mistakes. The purpose can range from easing tension and improving social bonding to conveying humility and self-awareness. Self-ridicule distinguishes itself from genuine self-loathing by being intentional and often lighthearted, used strategically in conversation or performance.
Self-ridiculing meaning with examples
- During his stand-up routine, the comedian's self-ridiculing jokes about his dating life had the audience roaring with laughter, making him appear relatable and charming rather than insecure. The carefully crafted humor helped connect him with the audience.
- The politician, facing criticism, deflected some attacks with self-ridiculing comments about his past mistakes. This unexpected approach softened the impact of the criticism and showed he could handle the scrutiny, somewhat.
- In a light-hearted attempt to break the ice, she offered a self-ridiculing anecdote about her clumsy attempt to learn to dance, the friends quickly became at ease and started to do the same.
- Despite winning an award, he offered a self-ridiculing speech, joking about his imperfections, which resonated with the audience and made him seem more approachable and down to earth.
- The author, in her memoir, utilized a self-ridiculing tone while describing her youthful indiscretions. This made the narrative more engaging and the author far more relatable.