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
Black companies objected to this derisive statement.
—
Essence, 7 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for derisive
Essence, 7 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for derisive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derisive
Adjective
-
Another week, another ridiculous highlight from five-star Houston quarterback commit Keisean Henderson.—
Grace Raynor,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The duo overcame their absolutely ridiculous difference in height and went on to win the Mirror Ball Trophy.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The combination of absurd temperatures, damp humidity, and having my hair stick to my neck daily was driving me insane.—
Kayla Greaves,
Essence,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Plus, who doesn’t love Nick Offerman sharing the screen with absurd facial hair?—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
To say the road to the Super Bowl goes through Jacksonville sounds silly in the NFL’s grand scheme, but for a talented and decorated Bills group that never has won there, that’s the first stop on the quest.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Citing the Monroe Doctrine is silly.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Enter Claude Whelan, played by James Callis, a fine actor with a face that can contort itself into about a dozen different versions of misery and pathetic dismay.—
Brian Grubb,
Vulture,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Ratcheting up the pressure on the pathetic Putin will be the only way this war ends.—
Chicago Tribune,
Twin Cities,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
What gave me the crazy idea to stand at the bar, listening to that woman being praised for her stupid f---ing commitment to New York City and her ugly f---ing buildings?—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Her mechanism for luring victims involves a stick, someone’s hair, her blood, and another person stupid enough to let her through their front door.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Derisive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derisive. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
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