derisive

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

/ dɪˈraɪ sɪv, -ˈrɪs ɪv /

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See synonyms for derisive on Thesaurus.com

adjective

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

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use derisive in a sentence

Expanding the Supreme Court to more than nine seats sounds like a radical idea, and the term for it, “court packing,” sounds derisive because it has created controversy every time it has come up.
What is court packing, and why are some Democrats seriously considering it?|Amber Phillips|October 8, 2020|Washington Post
She derisively writes, “[T]he only thing politicians fear more than losing donations is losing elections.”
Naomi Klein’s ‘This Changes Everything’ Will Change Nothing|Michael Signer|November 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Look at Billy Carter, my sweater-vested companions sniff derisively; look at Clinton.
Let Us Now Praise Famous Rednecks and Their Unjustly Unsung Kin|Allison Glock|August 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He refers to one of his work rivals derisively as a “Yes Man” and a “Kiss Ass.”
Speed Read: A Black Cop Infiltrates The KKK|William O’Connor|May 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

In return, Ukrainians have sometimes derisively called Russians “moscali” or “Muscovites.”
Ukraine’s Fighting Words|Igor Kossov|May 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But his many opponents did all they could to make sure America would never fight what they tagged derisively as "Roosevelt's war."
When America Said No to War|Marc Wortman|September 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“Bye-bye, Willie,” sang out Harvey, looking back and waving his cap derisively.
The Rival Campers|Ruel Perley Smith
A score of figures were dancing there, and shouting derisively at the out-distanced American tug.
Uncle Sam's Boys as Lieutenants|H. Irving Hancock
Isabella laughed derisively before she did me another wrong.
Dross|Henry Seton Merriman
At this Foxington laughed derisively, saying that it sounded very like a put-off.
Frank Fairlegh|Frank E. Smedley
He laughed derisively, and began to talk of her as he might have talked of Semiramis or Boadicea, only more vividly.
The Open Question|Elizabeth Robins

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 related to derisive

How to use derisive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for derisive

Derived forms of derisive