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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of derisive
Groups opposed to the former governor have already cut ads portraying Mr. Cuomo as disrespectful and derisive to the Black community, according to a Democratic operative familiar with them.
—
Nicholas Fandos, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
The movie was met with stone silence for most of the running time, eventually turning to derisive laughter.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 15 May 2025
Yet their box-office take was negligible, and many reviews were not just negative but derisive.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
Fans gave up and drew national attention for paying planes to circle the stadium with derisive banners.
—Matt Baker, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for derisive
Nicholas Fandos, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
The movie was met with stone silence for most of the running time, eventually turning to derisive laughter.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 15 May 2025
Yet their box-office take was negligible, and many reviews were not just negative but derisive.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
Fans gave up and drew national attention for paying planes to circle the stadium with derisive banners.
—Matt Baker, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for derisive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derisive
Adjective
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But her physical discomfort, brain fog, and financial stress had made the idea of writing a novel seem ridiculous.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 June 2025
-
The crowded panorama of ticktocking boxes is ridiculous and charming and absolutely unforgettable in its slightly manic demonstration of Japanese hobbyism.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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Rich and influential adults enjoyed Lear’s company, but Lear himself preferred making mischief for children, telling absurd stories and drawing impossible creatures.—
Caroline Carlson
June 30,
Literary Hub,
30 June 2025
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Traditionally, a show truck of this caliber would be fitted with an absurd array of chrome lightbars, air horns and blingy accessories but that would be counterintuitive to the vehicle’s mission.—
Trinity Francis,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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One of Netflix’s big movie plays for July is the sequel to its very silly but very fun action fantasy film The Old Guard.—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
1 July 2025
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None of that, however, excuses the silly and juvenile behavior of the Assembly’s majority Democrats last week when the chamber took up a resolution commemorating Pride month.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
The double talk that is presented by both Republicans and Democrats alike is pathetic.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
10 July 2025
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Tehran's retaliation has, so far, been pathetic: a few missiles lobbed at an empty US base, complete with a heads-up.—
Carlo Versano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Derisive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derisive. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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