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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
What makes some films feel real and others like sham products, worthy only of that derisive term content?
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 7 May 2025
The movie’s historical re-creations, however derisive, are chilling.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for derisive
Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 15 May 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
The movie’s historical re-creations, however derisive, are chilling.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for derisive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derisive
Adjective
-
To anyone paying attention, this measure is ridiculous and obviously a set up to demand something to address this yawning chasm for a person trying to rent a two-bedroom apartment.—
Roger Valdez,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Biden has denied these allegations, calling them ridiculous and false.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
These charges are absurd and unjust.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The content is absurd, borderline uncomfortable and consistently viral.—
Leeron Walter,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Many kids find repeating these phrases satisfying, or silly, or just plain fun to say, Estevez says.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
8 Sep. 2025
-
There are no silly games being played.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The end of that era came slowly, through the pathetic collapse of Syria and Lebanon as functioning states, and then quickly, when Israel began touching Hezbollah in unexpected places.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Want the poop on this pathetic history?—
Brian Domitrovic,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Derisive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derisive. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share