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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Dumont’s spirit of derision imbues his allegory with outrageous humor and rueful melancholy.
—
Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2025
President Donald Trump has long had a tendency to namecheck high-profile figures in concise terms of affection or derision.
—Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
The music is a bright spot in a game that’s been engulfed in drama and derision since the start.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 23 Apr. 2025
In a movie climate where remakes tend to draw sneers of derision and claims that people have just gotten too lazy to invent anything new, Disney’s remakes of its own products are always a chief target.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derision
Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2025
President Donald Trump has long had a tendency to namecheck high-profile figures in concise terms of affection or derision.
—Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
The music is a bright spot in a game that’s been engulfed in drama and derision since the start.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 23 Apr. 2025
In a movie climate where remakes tend to draw sneers of derision and claims that people have just gotten too lazy to invent anything new, Disney’s remakes of its own products are always a chief target.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derision
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derision
Noun
-
The vibes are confusing, the itinerary is unclear, and Drew—ever the queen of chaos—jokes that naked bears might be involved.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
25 May 2025
-
Here’s why and what happened CT proposal noted halfway across globe and becomes butt of jokes.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
25 May 2025
Noun
-
Researchers identified patterns of ridicule, emotional withdrawal and isolation, often co-occurring and reinforcing each other.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
-
Even the country’s closest democratic allies and largest trading partners, Canada and Mexico, faced ridicule, seemingly arbitrary import tax rates, and threats of territorial ambition.—
Michael Wilner,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Tianwen 2 will arrive in orbit around the comet in 2035, then measure the target using its onboard instrument suite (all from afar; Tianwen-2 will not land on or sample 311P/PANSTARRS).—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
29 May 2025
-
But interceptor missiles for Israel's vaunted Iron Dome short-range air defense system cost tens of thousands of dollars each, racking up an eye-watering bill when defending against high numbers of targets.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Derision.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derision. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share