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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Recent Examples of derisive
The revelation quickly made headlines, and the social-media peanut gallery was sharply derisive.
—
Emma Sandler, Vogue, 15 Dec. 2025
Earlier that day, Minaj had posted derisive comments about Roc Nation, suggesting the company had unsuccessfully tried to sign her.
—Andrew Flanagan, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
While speaking to Jay Shetty on his podcast On Purpose in an episode released Wednesday, Watson spoke about the personal, derisive comments Rowling has made against her.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 25 Sep. 2025
The intensity of Irish expressions of solidarity in 2024 caused one pro-Israel commentator, Ben Cohen, to coin the term Paddystinian as a derisive epithet to counter the narrative.
—Philip Metres
august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derisive
Emma Sandler, Vogue, 15 Dec. 2025
Earlier that day, Minaj had posted derisive comments about Roc Nation, suggesting the company had unsuccessfully tried to sign her.
—Andrew Flanagan, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
While speaking to Jay Shetty on his podcast On Purpose in an episode released Wednesday, Watson spoke about the personal, derisive comments Rowling has made against her.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 25 Sep. 2025
The intensity of Irish expressions of solidarity in 2024 caused one pro-Israel commentator, Ben Cohen, to coin the term Paddystinian as a derisive epithet to counter the narrative.
—Philip Metres
august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derisive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derisive
Adjective
-
That is, on paper anyway, a ridiculous sentence.—
Greg Engle,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
So why not put something ridiculous or funny in the background, even during a scene that’s only there to move the exposition forward?—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
20 June 2026
Adjective
-
Swipe fees and minimums make a tenth-of-a-cent charge absurd.—
Renana Ashkenazi,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
Yes, Scheffler enters this week as the betting favorite, but by his absurd standards, his probability has actually dipped.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
When it’s done well, the audience doesn’t realize that’s what’s happening; this story is super-silly and the characters actually just got a little bit closer.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
19 June 2026
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The whole thing was undeniably silly.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
After these first three majors — and after a pathetic showing this week at Shinnecock — there's no reason to bet against it.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2026
-
The Right Now’s Diana Levy — the executive producer of the stunt — asked reporters to spread out in a way that would make the turnout appear as sparse (and therefore pathetic) as possible.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
But even the most perfect Constitution can be undone by the wicked with the help of the bought, the stupid, and the cowardly.—
Ann Manov,
Harpers Magazine,
23 June 2026
-
White can believe Hokit said something stupid and still believe fighters should be allowed to speak for themselves.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
23 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Derisive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derisive. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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