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
Bolstered by a $10 million advertising campaign, the works were destined to be shown in a series of one hundred and fifty exhibitions and events intended to counter Americans’ derisive views of Mexico.
—
Jonathon Keats,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Educators were fired for making insensitive comments about him on their personal social-media accounts; a firefighter in Toledo lost his job for posting a derisive eulogy on Facebook; various airline employees were suspended for disparaging Kirk online.
—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
This was met by derisive laughter in the locker room, where, coincidentally, the director of the FBI was chugging a beer and joining in the uproar.
—
Dp Opinion,
Denver Post,
28 Feb. 2026
The series has since aired four episodes, with two to go, and fans are hailing Ings as the new Peter Dinklage — witty, derisive, a touch irascible.
—
Shannon Keating,
Vulture,
12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for derisive
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Jonathon Keats,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Educators were fired for making insensitive comments about him on their personal social-media accounts; a firefighter in Toledo lost his job for posting a derisive eulogy on Facebook; various airline employees were suspended for disparaging Kirk online.
—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
This was met by derisive laughter in the locker room, where, coincidentally, the director of the FBI was chugging a beer and joining in the uproar.
—
Dp Opinion,
Denver Post,
28 Feb. 2026
The series has since aired four episodes, with two to go, and fans are hailing Ings as the new Peter Dinklage — witty, derisive, a touch irascible.
—
Shannon Keating,
Vulture,
12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for derisive
Cite this Entry
“Derisive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derisive. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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