derision
Americannoun
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ridicule; mockery.
The inept performance elicited derision from the audience.
-
an object of ridicule.
noun
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the act of deriding; mockery; scorn
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an object of mockery or scorn
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of derision
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English derisioun, from Old French derision, from Late Latin dērīsiōn-, stem of dērīsiō, from Latin dērīs(us) “mocked” (past participle of dērīdēre “to mock”; see deride) + -iō -ion
Explanation
If people are laughing at you, making fun of you, and acting as if you're worthless, they're treating you with derision. Derision is mean and attacking — it's a form of contempt. Derision is more than just making fun of someone — it's mocking someone so forcefully and with such venom that you discredit the person completely. Derision can include literally laughing at someone or just treating a person like a joke. You know how celebrities and politicians do embarrassing things from time to time? They're usually treated with derision afterward: people mock them, treat them with contempt, and try to make the person who messed up seem completely worthless.
Vocabulary lists containing derision
"The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe
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Of Mice and Men
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Lord of the Flies
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Then, like Odysseus himself, she aimed at her main target of derision: Matt Damon.
From Salon ● Aug. 2, 2026
It earned enough derision that El-Sayed put out a statement to his followers about how such comments were “unkind and unhelpful” and that if you supported him, “please stop.”
From Slate ● Jul. 30, 2026
Arsenal's huddle at the start of the second half was greeted with more derision and jeers.
From BBC ● Mar. 4, 2026
The introduction of a $7 monthly handout drew only derision.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 17, 2026
The girl broke her silence with a snort of derision.
From "Stardust" by Neil Gaiman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
