derisive

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derisive

/dɪˈɹaɪ.sɪv/ UK
/dɪˈɹɪ.sɪv/ UK
/dɪˈraɪsɪv/ Canada, US
[dɪˈraɪsɪv] Canada, US
[dɪˈrʌɪsɪv] Canada, US

Rhymes with -aɪsɪv

Where it comes from

From the participle stem of Latin dērīdeō (“to deride”) + -ive.

adjective more derisive · most derisive

Expressing or characterized by derision; mocking; ridiculing. The critic's review of the film was derisive.
Similar: mocking, ridiculing, scornful, disdainful, sardonic, contemptuous
Deserving or provoking derision or ridicule. The plot of the film was so derisive that the audience began to jeer.
Similar: ridiculous, derisory

Opposite: respectful, supportive, praising, respectable

noun derisives

rare A derisive remark. The three lambs stood at bay, huddled close together, and helplessly bleated feeble derisives at the wolf who has headed them off from safety; but their polite and Englishy tone was a source of Homeric laughter to this Thersites of the Pleasance.

Thesaurus

adjective

Opposite: respectful, supportive, praising, respectable

Translations

Every language

adj expressing or characterized by derision; mocking

Español	irrisorio
Português	escarnecedor
Français	dérisoire, ridiculeironique, moqueur
Deutsch	spöttisch, höhnisch
Ελληνικά	χλευαστικός chlevastikós
Русский	насме́шливый nasméšlivyj

adj deserving or provoking derision

Español	irrisorio
Português	ridículo
Deutsch	lächerlich
Ελληνικά	χλευαστικός chlevastikós
Русский	смехотво́рный smexotvórnyj

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MLA

"derisive." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/derisive. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

derisive. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/derisive

Chicago

"derisive." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/derisive.

BibTeX

@misc{derisive_2026,
  title = {derisive},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/derisive},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}