ridicule vs poke fun

ridicule is a noun but poke fun is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
ridicule	Yes	No	Yes	No
poke fun	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, ridicule and poke fun are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of ridicule include blackguard, guy, jest at, laugh at, make fun, rib, roast.

ridicule (noun)	poke fun (noun)
the act of deriding or treating with contempt
language or behavior intended to mock or humiliate

ridicule (verb)	poke fun (verb)
subject to laughter or ridicule	subject to laughter or ridicule