derision
Americannoun
-
ridicule; mockery.
The inept performance elicited derision from the audience.
-
an object of ridicule.
noun
-
the act of deriding; mockery; scorn
-
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Of Mice and Men
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Lord of the Flies
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
The contretemps about the visa scandal pushed #Andy — López Beltrán’s knickname — to the top of social media sites in Mexico, drawing both praise and derision.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 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
Those ideas were made manifest in lavish PR material conjuring up fantastical landscapes that attracted reams of coverage that mingled awe and derision.
From BBC ● May 25, 2026
Asking what his job title would be, he met with derision: “What title? Call yourself contessa if you want to!”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 20, 2026
Had she glanced at their faces, though, she would have seen not derision but admiration.
From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng
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.
