Definition of DERISION (original) (raw)
1
b
: a state of being laughed at or ridiculed : a state of being derided
2
: an object of ridicule or scorn
Did you know?
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
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
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.
Online, fans and the press were brutal; McCourt still inspires derision on Dodgers subreddits. —Clare Malone, The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2025 From the moment Sandoval arrives at the castle in Episode 1, his mere presence incites derision. —Megan McCluskey, TIME, 10 Jan. 2025 How to think about the people trolling Brian Thompson Why has the public response to the killing of Thompson overwhelmingly been derision for the deceased and admiration for the unidentified shooter? —Aja Romano, Vox, 7 Dec. 2024 Trump’s proposed geographic switcheroo was greeted with widespread derision in Mexico and throughout Latin America. —Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for derision 
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of derision was in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near derision
Cite this Entry
“Derision.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derision. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 6 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
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