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
No matter its critics or the accumulation of derisive labels—corporate feminism, girlboss feminism, lean-in feminism, white feminism—a feminism of self-interested striving is the order of the day.
—
Hazlitt, 4 Sep. 2024
And online advertisements by Canadian airlines for trips to sunnier U.S. winter destinations have been met with derisive comments and calls to vacation in Canada.
—Ian Willms, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2025
Swisher was referring to Trump’s derisive nickname for Warren, Pocahontas, last aimed at her during his address last Tuesday night.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 8 Mar. 2025
Trump has made a political career out of insulting his adversaries and making up derisive nicknames for them.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derisive
Hazlitt, 4 Sep. 2024
And online advertisements by Canadian airlines for trips to sunnier U.S. winter destinations have been met with derisive comments and calls to vacation in Canada.
—Ian Willms, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2025
Swisher was referring to Trump’s derisive nickname for Warren, Pocahontas, last aimed at her during his address last Tuesday night.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 8 Mar. 2025
Trump has made a political career out of insulting his adversaries and making up derisive nicknames for them.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derisive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derisive
Adjective
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The 30-year-old actor’s longevity is clearly due to his willingness to fully commit to his characters, no matter how ridiculous.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
27 May 2025
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As Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt looped a single over the infield and into short right, the sublime gave way to ridiculous.—
Denver Post,
Denver Post,
26 May 2025
Adjective
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Read it because existence is absurd, and laughter might be the most intelligent response available.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
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One thing that’s been a challenge to satirists in the last 10 years is that reality has become so absurd, with the dumbest possible things happening every day, that there doesn’t always seem to be another level for satire to go to.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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If a couple players on the Dodgers can make a silly comment, so can the owner of the Yankees.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2025
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The artwork is silly and exaggerated to capture youngsters’ attention.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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Anyone who tells you different is a liar (and pathetic, and alone in life).—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
30 May 2025
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The politicized fantasy and horror films by Ryan Coogler and Jordan Peele are merely pathetic.—
Armond White,
National Review,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Derisive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derisive. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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