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derisive

adjective

  1. with an attitude of disdain
L335952 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /dɪˈɹaɪ.sɪv/ / /dɪˈɹɪ.sɪv/ / /dɪˈraɪsɪv/

adj

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

  1. Expressing or characterized by derision; mocking; ridiculing.

    The critic's review of the film was derisive.

    Johnson shook his head, a derisive grin ticking the corners of his mouth.

  2. Deserving or provoking derision or ridicule.

    The plot of the film was so derisive that the audience began to jeer.

noun

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

  1. 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.

    He leaped over the embankment at the river's edge in such a manner that it appeared he had been fatally hit and was down for good; the Yankees shouting such derisives as "Another damn Rebel for hell," "Goodbye, you Rebel bastard," etc., didn't go right away to rob the corpse.