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
Wall Street reacted to the delays with a derisive nickname TACO, for Trump Always Chickens Out.
—
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Trump posted Friday on social media, using a derisive nickname for Powell.
—Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 7 June 2025
His comment about being the solution drew derisive laughter from some in the audience.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2025
What makes some films feel real and others like sham products, worthy only of that derisive term content?
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for derisive
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Trump posted Friday on social media, using a derisive nickname for Powell.
—Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 7 June 2025
His comment about being the solution drew derisive laughter from some in the audience.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2025
What makes some films feel real and others like sham products, worthy only of that derisive term content?
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for derisive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derisive
Adjective
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That is a ridiculous expectation to lumber on such a young player, but then this is one of the few times that one of football’s child stars — a name everyone has known for years — seems not only worth the hype, but at ease with it.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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The piling on of hurdles, unforeseen challenges, and calamities is almost ridiculous.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The real start of the Chalamet/Marty Supreme press tour came Tuesday night when the actor shared an incredible and absurd five-minute promo video.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
8 Oct. 2025
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But these far-right personalities were pushing an absurd logical fallacy.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Count Dracula remains a fixture in the horror genre, having been featured in movies that range from scary and sexy to silly and satirical.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Oct. 2025
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Anderson’s synthesis of all of these themes, motifs, and silly gags into One Battle After Another, which saw Anderson’s biggest movie opening ever last month, shows how Pynchon’s ideas have not only aged well but are more visible and relevant.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Characters can be pathetic, and frank about their Toledo Truth Teller’s bleak prospects.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Jimmy Kimmel is a pathetic hate monger.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Derisive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derisive. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.
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