to mock / to deride
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to deride
To mock or ridicule someone or something in a cruel and contemptuous way, often in order to humiliate the person.
Die gegnerischen Fans verhöhnten den Spieler nach seinem Fehlschuss.
The opposing fans derided the player after his missed shot.
'Verhöhnen' (to deride) is derived from the noun 'der Hohn' (mockery, scorn). The verb describes the action of subjecting someone to this scorn. It is an inseparable verb.
Sein Versuch, zu helfen, wurde nur mit Hohn und Spott quittiert.
His attempt to help was met only with mockery and scorn.
'Verhöhnen' (to deride) is a transitive verb and always requires an accusative object. This object is the person or thing being mocked.
Die Kritiker verhöhnten das neue Kunstwerk des Malers.
The critics derided the painter's new artwork.
'Verhöhnen' (to deride) is a very strong and emotionally negative word. It expresses a cruel, hurtful kind of mockery that aims to humiliate someone.
Es ist grausam, jemanden für seine Fehler öffentlich zu verhöhnen.
It is cruel to publicly deride someone for their mistakes.
to laugh
'lachen über' and 'verhöhnen' can both mean making fun of someone. The difference lies in the intensity and tone. 'Über jemanden lachen' can already be hurtful, but it often sounds more general and less strong. 'verhöhnen' is much harsher: it means making someone look ridiculous in a contemptuous way, often with the intention of humiliating them. For small, everyday situations, 'über jemanden lachen' usually fits. If the behavior is cruel or very disrespectful, 'verhöhnen' is more precise.
Nach der Niederlage verhöhnten einige Fans die Spieler der anderen Mannschaft.
After the defeat, some fans derided the players of the other team.
Die Jungen lachten über Paul, weil er beim Spiel gestolpert war.
The boys laughed at Paul because he had tripped during the game.