as in ridiculous
so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter
the derisive performances of some of the singers on the talent show
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of derisive
Black companies objected to this derisive statement.
—
Essence, 7 Aug. 2025
Wall Street reacted to the delays with a derisive nickname TACO, for Trump Always Chickens Out.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Trump posted Friday on social media, using a derisive nickname for Powell.
—Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 7 June 2025
His comment about being the solution drew derisive laughter from some in the audience.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for derisive
Essence, 7 Aug. 2025
Wall Street reacted to the delays with a derisive nickname TACO, for Trump Always Chickens Out.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Trump posted Friday on social media, using a derisive nickname for Powell.
—Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 7 June 2025
His comment about being the solution drew derisive laughter from some in the audience.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for derisive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derisive
Adjective
-
Trump filed a bogus lawsuit against the company that pivoted on the ridiculous claim that YouTube was a secret agent of the Biden administration.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
-
For those who tire of driving something ridiculous-looking on paved roads, good news!—
Sean Evans,
Robb Report,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This would be an absurd show of force, and totally uncalled for during a government shutdown when members of the military cannot even get a paycheck.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Knightley and Pearce coast and their characters never come alive and resort to doing silly things at this misfire’s absurd, regrettable finale.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But the tone swings between sour and sweet, grounded and silly, and the jokes run more broadly wacky than precise or original.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Oct. 2025
-
In my eyes, much of the charm of a craft brewer is a willingness to be a little silly.—
Bradley Hohulin,
IndyStar,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
And Craig Waterman, the marketing executive from the 2024 film Friendship, took Robinson into new territory with a darker and more pathetic take on the same neurotic type.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
13 Oct. 2025
-
In his brightest moments, Mike is boyishly gentle, a little wacky, and modestly proud — all in ways that Dillane manages to make feel both pathetic and delightful.—
Beatrice Loayza,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Derisive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derisive. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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