derisory

adjective

de·​ri·​so·​ry di-ˈrī-sə-rē 

-zə-

1

: expressing derision : derisive

2

: worthy of derision

especially : laughably small

land could be bought for a derisory sum

Synonyms

• insulting
• slighting
• scornful
• contemptuous
• deprecatory
• disdainful
• uncomplimentary
• derogatory
• malicious
• degrading
• pejorative
• demeaning
• disparaging
• depreciatory
• critical

Examples of derisory in a Sentence

a literary snob, she invariably used the derisory term “the boob tube” when referring to television

the pawnbroker offered what I regarded as a derisory amount for the diamond ring

Recent Examples on the Web

She was then remanded in a nunnery, given a derisory sentence — less than two years in jail — before being released with a presidential pardon. —Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2024

The state media are full of derisory commentary about the alleged hypocrisy, decadence, and even blasphemy that is supposedly on display in Paris. —Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Aug. 2024

There, the National Weather Service calculated the average wind speed to be a derisory 1.8 mph. —Martin Weil, Washington Post, 10 Dec. 2023

Often enough beautiful can be used as a derisory adjective in this context. —Guy Trebay, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2023

But when people invest in their own solar panels and start producing electricity, the feed in tariff pays them back a derisory amount. —Jemma Green, Forbes, 22 Apr. 2022

There’s no escaping that the current ESG qualifications of most directors and executives is derisory, and mandatory disclosures would provide the stick to increase competency. —Paul Polman, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2021

Arsenal are seemingly the latest club to have entered the Harry Maguire saga alongside Manchester United and Manchester City, only to make a derisory transfer enquiry for the Leicester and England centre back well below the Foxes' asking price. —SI.com, 3 July 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1618, in the meaning defined at sense 1