Definition of derisivenext

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 derisive Educators were fired for making insensitive comments about him on their personal social-media accounts; a firefighter in Toledo lost his job for posting a derisive eulogy on Facebook; various airline employees were suspended for disparaging Kirk online. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026 This was met by derisive laughter in the locker room, where, coincidentally, the director of the FBI was chugging a beer and joining in the uproar. — Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2026 The revelation quickly made headlines, and the social-media peanut gallery was sharply derisive. — Emma Sandler, Vogue, 15 Dec. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for derisive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derisive
Adjective
  • The university merely gives mortality a ridiculous stage on which to perform.
    — Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Of course his trick memory, hyper-long career and borrowings of Pravda from the colleague codenamed CYCLOPS are frankly ridiculous, especially since the latter (don’t tell Venusian Cheney) bore two functional eyes.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Ambitious mukbang-ers eager to prove their gastronomic stamina descended on Red Lobster locations across the country to consume absurd quantities of shrimp.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • When things get too absurd or heavy, a one liner pops in and Olesen knows how to do the set up, and then, the mic drop.
    — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Much of the advice for making friends can feel silly or trite, but focusing on three areas may make a significant impact on your social situation.
    — Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Then again, the silliest thing our species could do is resign ourselves to disaster.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The Chargers' offense mustered a pathetic 14 points all game.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • It’s also brilliantly written as a futile, pathetic rebellion by men with zero agency or purpose in their own lives.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Parents who decline to vaccinate their children have been called selfish and stupid.
    — Nicholas Florko, STAT, 29 Sep. 2026
  • No one is evil, but people do stupid things, which accords with my own memories of college.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Derisive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derisive. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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