derision
noun
de·ri·sion
di-ˈri-zhən 
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Where does derision come from?
Derision shares part of its origin with the words ridiculous and risible; all may be traced to the Latin verb ridēre (“to laugh”). From the time derision entered the English language in the 14th century, it has suggested laughter, albeit of a mocking or scornful variety. It may also be used to indicate an object of scornful laughter—that is, a laughingstock—as in the line from Lamentations 3:14 of the King James Version of the bible: “I was a derision to all my people.”
Examples of derision in a Sentence
My remarks were anodyne, but some other snippets of marginalia were shrieks of derision …
—
Paul Theroux, Granta 44, Summer 1993
Britain had its boffins, working researchers subject to the derision of intellectual gentlemen.
—James Gleick, Genius: The Life & Science of Richard Feynman, 1992
… discussion, laughter, lecturing, but no shouts or threats, no yardsticks banging for silence, no words of shame or derision.
—Lorene Cary, Black Ice, 1991
The whole idea of Camelot excites derision. In fact, I am sure Kennedy would have derided it himself. No one at the time ever thought of his Washington as Camelot.
—Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., The Cycles of American History, 1986
One of the students laughed in derision at my error.
The team's awful record has made it an object of derision in the league.
“Nerd” is a term of derision.
Paul Theroux, Granta 44, Summer 1993
Britain had its boffins, working researchers subject to the derision of intellectual gentlemen.
—James Gleick, Genius: The Life & Science of Richard Feynman, 1992
… discussion, laughter, lecturing, but no shouts or threats, no yardsticks banging for silence, no words of shame or derision.
—Lorene Cary, Black Ice, 1991
The whole idea of Camelot excites derision. In fact, I am sure Kennedy would have derided it himself. No one at the time ever thought of his Washington as Camelot.
—Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., The Cycles of American History, 1986
One of the students laughed in derision at my error.
The team's awful record has made it an object of derision in the league.
“Nerd” is a term of derision.
Recent Examples on the Web
Its sneering tone of youthful derision took on new dimensions and a chilling sense of pathos when sung by a 75-year-old musician approaching his final chapter in life.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
Prasad, head of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, had faced heavy criticism from the right over his handling of Sarepta, including an op-ed from The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board and derision from pro-Trump influencer Laura Loomer.
—Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
On social media, news of his passing was met with apathy and derision by younger people who never knew him as a champion, only as a right-wing punchline.
—John Devore, Rolling Stone, 26 July 2025
But his derision toward Latino classmates is well-documented — in his own words.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for derision
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George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
Prasad, head of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, had faced heavy criticism from the right over his handling of Sarepta, including an op-ed from The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board and derision from pro-Trump influencer Laura Loomer.
—Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
On social media, news of his passing was met with apathy and derision by younger people who never knew him as a champion, only as a right-wing punchline.
—John Devore, Rolling Stone, 26 July 2025
But his derision toward Latino classmates is well-documented — in his own words.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for derision
Cite this Entry
“Derision.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derision. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
derision
noun
de·ri·sion
di-ˈrizh-ən
: scornful ridicule
derisive
adjective
-ˈrī-siv
derisively
adverb
derisiveness
noun
derisory
adjective
-ˈrī-sə-rē
-zə-
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