Definition of derisionnext
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

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 But those days might also inspire plenty of derision from critics, especially on the conservative side, still furious over school closures and other lockdowns that shuttered businesses. Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 6 May 2026 At the time, Turner’s decision was met with derision around the majors. Andrew Greif, NBC news, 6 May 2026 And then there’s the A18 Pro processor, the component that has drawn the most derision among the geekerati. Dwight Silverman, Houston Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026 Two of the tributes to stars who died in the past year, Rob Reiner and Robert Redford, referenced their politics, and their ability to have an impact even if their activism was prone to derision on the right. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 15 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for derision
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derision
Noun
  • Deborah and Ava have never been closer — and that’s when the jokes start flying.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 29 May 2026
  • And because Bargatze is usually the butt of his own jokes, his mix of aw-shucks relatability and self-deprecation goes down nice and easy.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • The part purportedly written by Vazquez mentions years of ridicule and rejection — one of the few full sentences of his written in all caps.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2026
  • Commercials that show more diversity in family groups and romantic partners, including same-sex couples and interracial families, may over time decrease the ridicule and discrimination experienced by those who are living in nontraditional family settings.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • For one, the salary cap is a moving target.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
  • An entire mission directing six blasts against three Russian frontline targets in eastern Ukraine will involve no Ukrainian troops on the ground, the battle instead directed from gamer chairs, observed from reconnaissance drones above, run over dedicated livestreams.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
Noun
  • Predicting the future is a fool’s game.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 2 June 2026
  • But don't let his calm demeanor fool you.
    Joelle Goldstein, USA Today, 1 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Derision.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derision. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on derision

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster