Definition of derisionnext
1
as in joke
a person or thing that is made fun of after yet another last place finish, the team became nothing more than a derision to all but its most loyal fans

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2
as in ridicule
the making of unkind jokes as a way of showing one's scorn for someone or something their absurd behavior on the awards show became a source of derision for comedians

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of derision Maybe overwrought prose or sentences loaded with adverbs will one day draw a little less derision. Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026 To date, the vast majority of people charged with wrongdoing are of Somali ancestry, a fact that Trump has noted with derision. Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 21 May 2026 Previous statements doubting Venezuela’s sovereignty over the past 25 years have been met with immediate derision from senior government officials, including the president. Regina Garcia Cano, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026 No Liverpool or Manchester United manager has faced derision or hostility on anything like the scale that, to cite just two examples, Ange Postecoglou and Liam Rosenior faced within weeks of taking over at Nottingham Forest and Chelsea this season. Oliver Kay, New York Times, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for derision
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derision
Noun
  • As the escape-room activity kicks off — the guests have 30 minutes to find Aesha’s crew — the boys find plenty of opportunity to make insinuating jokes about tying up the girls, some (Coop) more wholesome than others (Luke).
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 30 June 2026
  • And as a distant relative jokes, many can be found on mortgages, loans and other debts.
    Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • That vision became a target of ridicule — and eventually a joke among the fanbase — when the plan failed to produce a second championship-level core.
    Jannelle Moore, Mercury News, 28 June 2026
  • That means that in teams where people felt safe to share ideas and make mistakes, with little fear of ridicule or retribution, there was significantly higher productivity, a lower rate of turnover, more innovation and much more engagement.
    Leeza Carlone Steindorf, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • The Angels’ lucky Pikachu might not be a trade target going into the deadline.
    Liana Handler Follow, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • Spurs have approached this summer window with a determination to back their head coach, and to be ruthless and decisive in their pursuit of targets.
    Mark Critchley, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Noun
  • Being a gent or a supplicant wasn’t the same as being a fool, though.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 June 2026
  • Don’t let the simple style fool you, though, because the ultra-soft foam insoles provide solid arch support.
    Caitlyn Fitzpatrick, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Derision.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derision. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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