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 diabolical is ambiguous and often frankly sexy; the ridiculous is not.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Just by changing his gait to something ridiculous, Cleese gives his audience a moment of release from the entire world of work.
    Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The English dialogue for these films was often absurd and barely coherent, written to conform to the movements of the actors’ mouths.
    Victor Garber, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Correa’s contract contains a full no-trade clause, though any thought of the Astros moving him seems absurd.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Whatever to the silly old poem and whatever to the ceremony and all its stupid little details and whatever to all the rules for daughters.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • His faith in the transformative power of a deeply silly musical about nosy neighbors provides the film with its strongest anchor of relatable humanity.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 21 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
  • The humor is like laughing about something that was just so stupid, or something that was so traumatic.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • That’s the problem with all of your arguments and stupid comments.
    Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Derisive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derisive. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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