derision

noun

de·​ri·​sion di-ˈri-zhən 

1

a

: the use of ridicule or scorn to show contempt

b

: a state of being laughed at or ridiculed : a state of being derided

2

: an object of ridicule or scorn

Did you know?

Where does derision come from?

Derision shares part of its origin with the words ridiculous and risible; all may be traced to the Latin verb ridēre (“to laugh”). From the time derision entered the English language in the 14th century, it has suggested laughter, albeit of a mocking or scornful variety. It may also be used to indicate an object of scornful laughter—that is, a laughingstock—as in the line from Lamentations 3:14 of the King James Version of the bible: “I was a derision to all my people.”

Synonyms

• butt
• jest
• joke
• laughingstock
• mark
• mock
• mockery
• sport
• target

Examples of derision in a Sentence

My remarks were anodyne, but some other snippets of marginalia were shrieks of derision … —Paul Theroux, Granta 44, Summer 1993

Britain had its boffins, working researchers subject to the derision of intellectual gentlemen. —James Gleick, Genius: The Life & Science of Richard Feynman, 1992

… discussion, laughter, lecturing, but no shouts or threats, no yardsticks banging for silence, no words of shame or derision. —Lorene Cary, Black Ice, 1991

The whole idea of Camelot excites derision. In fact, I am sure Kennedy would have derided it himself. No one at the time ever thought of his Washington as Camelot. —Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., The Cycles of American History, 1986

One of the students laughed in derision at my error.

The team's awful record has made it an object of derision in the league.

“Nerd” is a term of derision.

Recent Examples on the Web

The most illustrative case might be Edgar Renteria, who was a 32-year-old shortstop coming off a steeply declining 2008 season when Sabean gave him a two-year, $18.5 million contract that industry observers met with instant derision. —Andrew Baggarly, The Athletic, 12 Dec. 2024

The crowd in Angola watching Biden’s speech applauded the news politely, but social media users in the U.S. reacted with derision and fury. —Jeff Cercone, Austin American-Statesman, 9 Dec. 2024

In the 1980s and ’90s, Stewart was an easy target for mass derision and mockery, on Saturday Night Live and everywhere else. —Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024

Honeymoon registries appear to be one form of travel crowdfunding that’s exempt from derision and distrust, which is why the Los Angeles creative entrepreneur was comfortable setting one up. —Rosie Bell, WIRED, 22 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin derision-, derisio, from Latin deridēre — see deride

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

derision

noun

de·​ri·​sion di-ˈrizh-ən 

: scornful ridicule

derisive

-ˈrī-siv

adjective

derisively adverb

derisiveness noun

derisory

-ˈrī-sə-rē

-zə-

adjective