derisive
characterized by or expressing derision; contemptuous; mocking: derisive heckling.
Origin of derisive
1- Also de·ri·so·ry [dih-rahy-suh-ree, -zuh-]. /dɪˈraɪ sə ri, -zə-/.
Other words from derisive
- de·ri·sive·ly, adverb
- de·ri·sive·ness, noun
- non·de·ri·sive, adjective
- o·ver·de·ri·sive, adjective
- o·ver·de·ri·sive·ly, adverb
- o·ver·de·ri·sive·ness, noun
- un·de·ri·sive, adjective
- un·de·ri·sive·ly, adverb
- un·de·ri·sive·ness, noun
- un·de·ri·so·ry, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
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 PostShe 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 | THE DAILY BEASTLook 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 | THE DAILY BEASTHe refers to one of his work rivals derisively as a “Yes Man” and a “Kiss Ass.”
In return, Ukrainians have sometimes derisively called Russians “moscali” or “Muscovites.”
But his many opponents did all they could to make sure America would never fight what they tagged derisively as "Roosevelt's war."
“Bye-bye, Willie,” sang out Harvey, looking back and waving his cap derisively.
The Rival Campers | Ruel Perley SmithA score of figures were dancing there, and shouting derisively at the out-distanced American tug.
Uncle Sam's Boys as Lieutenants | H. Irving HancockIsabella laughed derisively before she did me another wrong.
Dross | Henry Seton MerrimanAt this Foxington laughed derisively, saying that it sounded very like a put-off.
Frank Fairlegh | Frank E. SmedleyHe 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
/ (dɪˈraɪsɪv, -zɪv) /
showing or characterized by derision; mocking; scornful
Derived forms of derisive
- derisively, adverb
- derisiveness, 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
Browse