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

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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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of derision President Donald Trump has long had a tendency to namecheck high-profile figures in concise terms of affection or derision. Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025 The music is a bright spot in a game that’s been engulfed in drama and derision since the start. Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 23 Apr. 2025 In a movie climate where remakes tend to draw sneers of derision and claims that people have just gotten too lazy to invent anything new, Disney’s remakes of its own products are always a chief target. Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025 That Veja wanted to shorten the chain was met with surprise, derision and even anger. Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for derision
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derision
Noun
  • Nikki Glaser applauds Joan’s candor about aging and plastic surgery, and Aubrey Plaza retires Joan’s not-so-politically-correct jokes.
    Erin Jensen, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • Hitting the NBCUniversal upfront stage on Monday morning, Meyers gave a strong monologue tweaking his corporate overlords — and one joke at the very end elicited the biggest laughs (and gasps!) from the audience.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • Both suspects were charged with first-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias, ridicule on account of creed, religion, color, denomination, nationality or race, second-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2025
  • In the past, they have even been met with ridicule.
    Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Presidents, however, have wide leeway in setting refugee resettlement targets.
    Chris Kenning, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • The Dutchman insisted there would be no problem convincing a target to join Liverpool, but that the fee involved could still be a stumbling block.
    Gregg Evans, New York Times, 17 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Derision.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derision. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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