derisive
adjective
de·ri·sive
di-ˈrī-siv 
-ziv;
-ˈri-ziv,
-ˈri-siv
: expressing or causing contemptuous ridicule or scorn : expressing or causing derision
derisive laughter
Given such follies …, it's easy to be derisive of Jerry Lewis …—
James Wolcott
James Wolcott
derisively
adverb
derisiveness
noun
Examples of derisive in a Sentence
the derisive performances of some of the singers on the talent show
Recent Examples on the Web
And online advertisements by Canadian airlines for trips to sunnier U.S. winter destinations have been met with derisive comments and calls to vacation in Canada.
—Ian Willms, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2025
Swisher was referring to Trump’s derisive nickname for Warren, Pocahontas, last aimed at her during his address last Tuesday night.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 8 Mar. 2025
Trump has made a political career out of insulting his adversaries and making up derisive nicknames for them.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 2 Mar. 2025
Yet their box-office take was negligible, and many reviews were not just negative but derisive.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derisive
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Ian Willms, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2025
Swisher was referring to Trump’s derisive nickname for Warren, Pocahontas, last aimed at her during his address last Tuesday night.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 8 Mar. 2025
Trump has made a political career out of insulting his adversaries and making up derisive nicknames for them.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 2 Mar. 2025
Yet their box-office take was negligible, and many reviews were not just negative but derisive.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derisive
Cite this Entry
“Derisive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derisive. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
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