Synonyms of derisory

derisory

adjective

di-ˈrī-sə-rē 

1

as in insulting

intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value

a literary snob, she invariably used the derisory term "the boob tube" when referring to television

Synonyms & Similar Words

• insulting
• slighting
• scornful
• contemptuous
• deprecatory
• disdainful
• uncomplimentary
• derogatory
• malicious
• degrading
• pejorative
• demeaning
• disparaging
• depreciatory
• critical
• abusive
• depreciative
• derogative
• denigratory
• venomous
• detractive
• hateful
• belittling
• nasty
• cruel
• libelous
• decrying
• denigrative
• scurrilous
• spiteful
• slanderous
• unkind
• defamatory
• calumnious
• opprobrious
• denunciatory
• virulent
• malignant
• scathing
• malign
• malevolent
• mean
• bitter
• caustic
• resentful
• jealous
• envious
• despiteful
• acrimonious
• acrid
• catty
• aspersing
• vilifying
• slandering
• maligning
• rancorous
• jaundiced
• denunciative

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• laudatory
• complimentary
• commendatory
• positive
• friendly
• adulatory
• approving
• appreciative
• admiring
• respectful
• sympathetic
• laudative
• warm
• kind
• kindly
• applauding
• warmhearted
• kindhearted
• unmalicious

2

as in ridiculous

so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter

the pawnbroker offered what I regarded as a derisory amount for the diamond ring

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ridiculous
• absurd
• pathetic
• silly
• foolish
• derisive
• unreasonable
• comical
• stupid
• ludicrous
• laughable
• farcical
• risible
• preposterous
• irrational
• dumb
• incredible
• insane
• fantastic
• idiotic
• fatuous
• inane
• crazy
• cockamamy
• nonsensical
• for the birds
• mad
• moronic
• imbecile
• asinine
• witless
• unwise
• inconceivable
• unbelievable
• unreal
• unrealistic
• loony
• simpleminded
• harebrained
• brainless
• jerky
• cuckoo
• nutty
• daft
• illogical
• wacky
• half-baked
• daffy
• kooky
• balmy
• senseless
• half-witted
• dotty
• weak-minded
• far-fetched
• screwball
• cockeyed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• serious
• solemn
• earnest
• reasonable
• realistic
• logical
• rational
• credible
• sensible
• conceivable
• believable

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of derisory

She was then remanded in a nunnery, given a derisory sentence — less than two years in jail — before being released with a presidential pardon. — Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2024

The state media are full of derisory commentary about the alleged hypocrisy, decadence, and even blasphemy that is supposedly on display in Paris. — Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Aug. 2024

Often enough beautiful can be used as a derisory adjective in this context. — Guy Trebay, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2023

But when people invest in their own solar panels and start producing electricity, the feed in tariff pays them back a derisory amount. — Jemma Green, Forbes, 22 Apr. 2022

The contents of his elegant Tite Street home — roughly 2,000 books, all the furnishings, even the children’s toys — were sold at a bankruptcy auction for derisory sums. — Washington Post, 13 Oct. 2021

There’s no escaping that the current ESG qualifications of most directors and executives is derisory, and mandatory disclosures would provide the stick to increase competency. — Paul Polman, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2021

Arsenal are seemingly the latest club to have entered the Harry Maguire saga alongside Manchester United and Manchester City, only to make a derisory transfer enquiry for the Leicester and England centre back well below the Foxes' asking price. — SI.com, 3 July 2019