1
as in joke
a person or thing that is made fun of
after yet another last place finish, the team became nothing more than a derision to all but its most loyal fans
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ridicule
the making of unkind jokes as a way of showing one's scorn for someone or something
their absurd behavior on the awards show became a source of derision for comedians
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of derision
Other researchers, such as anthropologist Joseph Henrich, even go as far as to credit Christianity’s derision of polygyny as a driving force of Western prosperity.
—
David W. Lawson, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025
But as a frequent object of derision during less productive years, Prescott understands leadership and the volatility of an NFL locker room -- particularly when one side of the football is carrying the other and wins are subsequently tough to come by.
—Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
The final decision from Glenn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, though, may deserve even more derision given how his team’s game against the Broncos and their ferocious, inevitable pass rush had unfolded.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Much of the derision was coming from the performers’ contemporaries — some of whom had rejected the invite on moral and political grounds, but many who were not actually invited to perform.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derision
David W. Lawson, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025
But as a frequent object of derision during less productive years, Prescott understands leadership and the volatility of an NFL locker room -- particularly when one side of the football is carrying the other and wins are subsequently tough to come by.
—Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
The final decision from Glenn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, though, may deserve even more derision given how his team’s game against the Broncos and their ferocious, inevitable pass rush had unfolded.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Much of the derision was coming from the performers’ contemporaries — some of whom had rejected the invite on moral and political grounds, but many who were not actually invited to perform.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derision
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derision
Noun
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The comedy is a tonal mess, veering between underdeveloped jokes and unearned sentiment.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
-
How did Joy nearly die in the wilderness of Colorado, a place that, in a joke the film keeps repeating, is almost all white people?—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Dick Cheney was an unapologetic hawk in military affairs as defense secretary and vice president, but his shooting an acquaintance in a hunting accident became a source of ridicule.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
-
In the mayoral race between Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo, Adams was relegated to an afterthought, an object of ridicule and scorn.—
Molly Ball,
Time,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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For English language arts, which includes reading, writing, speaking and listening, the district came one percentage point shy of the state average, with 49% of students meeting their individualized growth targets.—
Dmitry Martirosov,
Arkansas Online,
12 Nov. 2025
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DeVonta Smith is the top target for Hurts with 44 receptions for 588 yards and two scores, while tight end Dallas Goedert has seven TD catches.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The mind wants desperately to connect with a person—and fools itself into seeing one in a machine.—
Damon Beres,
The Atlantic,
5 Nov. 2025
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Since medieval times, the colorful fool—from court jesters to Shakespeare’s characters—has used playful wit to critique authority and buffoonery to whip up excitement.—
Time,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Derision.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derision. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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