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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Recent Examples of derisive
There is nothing quite like experiencing a truly terrible film with a room full of gleefully derisive bad-movie fans.
—
Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 30 Oct. 2025
Earlier that day, Minaj had posted derisive comments about Roc Nation, suggesting the company had unsuccessfully tried to sign her.
—Andrew Flanagan, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
While speaking to Jay Shetty on his podcast On Purpose in an episode released Wednesday, Watson spoke about the personal, derisive comments Rowling has made against her.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 25 Sep. 2025
The intensity of Irish expressions of solidarity in 2024 caused one pro-Israel commentator, Ben Cohen, to coin the term Paddystinian as a derisive epithet to counter the narrative.
—Philip Metres
august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derisive
Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 30 Oct. 2025
Earlier that day, Minaj had posted derisive comments about Roc Nation, suggesting the company had unsuccessfully tried to sign her.
—Andrew Flanagan, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
While speaking to Jay Shetty on his podcast On Purpose in an episode released Wednesday, Watson spoke about the personal, derisive comments Rowling has made against her.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 25 Sep. 2025
The intensity of Irish expressions of solidarity in 2024 caused one pro-Israel commentator, Ben Cohen, to coin the term Paddystinian as a derisive epithet to counter the narrative.
—Philip Metres
august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derisive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derisive
Adjective
-
Kyle Tucker got a ridiculous four-year, $240 million deal from the Los Angeles Dodgers, but that’s not their fault.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Healey is clearly not a hunter and looks ridiculous trying to pretend to be one.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Shawn Hatosy is particularly feral here, injecting real menace into an otherwise absurd premise.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The deadpan one-liners exaggerating his strength, speed and toughness to absurd levels, turned Norris into one of the internet’s first global memes.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In retaliation, Afroman released several songs about the experience, made music videos using his security-cam footage, and generally was a silly goose about the whole thing.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
-
This confident Yale Rep production follows Ionesco’s lead by being very clear about its point but relentlessly silly while making it.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Astin sinks into his pathetic character with full commitment, but the running gag about Ron getting more upset about the possibility of being banned from the fast-food restaurant than anything else is hammered so relentlessly that the character just seems mentally challenged.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Of course, the notes turn out to mostly be about her as well as the principal (played by Gosling), detailing their most pathetic behaviors.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The American people are not stupid and will not accept more failure theater from Republicans in Congress.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The American people are not stupid and will not accept more failure theater from Republicans in Congress.—
Justin Papp,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Derisive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derisive. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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