derisive

[ dih-rahy-siv, -ris-iv ]

/ dɪˈraɪ sɪv, -ˈrɪs ɪv /

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adjective

characterized by or expressing derision; contemptuous; mocking: derisive heckling.

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Also de·ri·so·ry

[dih-rahy-suh-ree, -zuh-]. /dɪˈraɪ sə ri, -zə-/.

Origin of derisive

First recorded in 1655–65; deris(ion) + -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM derisive

de·ri·sive·ly, adverbde·ri·sive·ness, nounnon·de·ri·sive, adjectiveo·ver·de·ri·sive, adjective

o·ver·de·ri·sive·ly, adverbo·ver·de·ri·sive·ness, nounun·de·ri·sive, adjectiveun·de·ri·sive·ly, adverbun·de·ri·sive·ness, nounun·de·ri·so·ry, adjective

Words nearby derisive

De Ridder, deride, de rigueur, derisible, derision, derisive, derisory, deriv., derivation, derivative, derive

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use derisive in a sentence

Within the FBI, some frustrated agents quickly started using a derisive nickname for ZeroFox — replacing the “Fox” with a similar-sounding expletive, to indicate how little use it seemed to have.
Warnings of Jan. 6 violence preceded the Capitol riot|Hannah Allam, Devlin Barrett, Aaron Davis, Josh Dawsey, Amy Gardner, Shane Harris, Rosalind Helderman, Paul Kane, Dan Lamothe, Carol D. Leonnig, Nick Miroff, Ellen Nakashima, Ashley Parker, Beth Reinhard, Philip Rucker, Craig Timberg, Phoebe Connelly, Natalia Jiménez-Stuard, Madison Walls, Tyler Remmel|October 31, 2021|Washington Post
That being said, people in the deaf community felt free to make pointed and derisive comments about my CI.
This Is What It Is Like To Be Deaf From Birth|Quora Contributor|December 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The message is derisive—rhabdomyolysis and whatever else might happen to certain people is really for wimps and buffoons only.
Cool It on the CrossFit: What’s Rhabdomyolysis?|Kent Sepkowitz|October 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In his 60s and into his 80s, he loved taking down braggarts and bullies derisive of his age.
Marty Reisman: The Magical Hustler Who Saved a Classic Game|Harold Evans|December 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST

A French satirical magazine runs some derisive cartoons of Muhammad.
The Cost of Cartooning|David Frum|September 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Remember all the derisive comments about previous encounters?
A Winning Final Four at the GOP Debate in Charleston|Michael Medved|January 20, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Sometimes it comes in literal sobriety, sometimes in derisive travesti, sometimes in tragic aggravation.
Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
There is something repulsively familiar about the tall man, his mouth drawn into a derisive smile.
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist|Alexander Berkman
Sometimes he thinks that they wink at one another with regard to him, or make signs behind his back that are meant to be derisive.
Essays In Pastoral Medicine|Austin Malley
"Oh, that only shows you can't interpret operatic music," Rob replied, with a derisive grin.
A Fortune Hunter; Or, The Old Stone Corral|John Dunloe Carteret
The Turk heard the derisive laugh, and he felt the tingling of his ear and the poke in his ribs.
Jack Harkaway's Boy Tinker Among The Turks|Bracebridge Hemyng

British Dictionary definitions for derisive

derisive

/ (dɪˈraɪsɪv, -zɪv) /

adjective

showing or characterized by derision; mocking; scornful

Derived forms of derisive

derisively, adverbderisiveness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

derisive

Origin of derisive

OTHER WORDS FROM derisive

Words nearby derisive

Words related to derisive

How to use derisive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for derisive

Derived forms of derisive