DERISIVE Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

derisive

adjective

di-ˈrī-siv

Definition of derisive

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

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

Halsey looks ridiculous in a green jacket with a red scarf for a sash.

— Danielle Parker, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Everyone thinks their kids’ slang is ridiculous and their parents’ politics naive.

— Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of ridiculous

Adjective

As insufferable and absurd as that was, Murphy continued in the middle of the 2026 season, acting like his team's biggest division rival had also not heard of his players who were currently in first place.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
But its ludicrous potential price tag isn’t the only absurd thing.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of absurd

Adjective

The Wu-Tang Clan's mastermind has carved out a second career directing mid-level action flicks, and last year's One Spoon of Chocolate is a solid if silly movie.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026
Most phone apps look silly this way, especially those still running as standard iPhone apps, which look normal but with lots of black padding on either side.

— Nilay Patel, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of silly

Adjective

But also, the audience is not used to people delivering blunt questions — no matter how stupid the answer.

— Jade Tran, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2026
Pierce and Kember were born in the same place on the same day, a lore-enhancing coincidence too stupid to make up.

— Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of stupid

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derisions

derisive

derisory

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“Derisive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derisive. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of derisive

adjective

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