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 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 The gambit flopped, garnering poor ratings, critical derision, and internal strife. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2024 This seemed like one hell of a mission for someone earning just above minimum wage. or millennia, the figure of the guard has inspired as much derision as demand. Jasper Craven, Harper's Magazine, 23 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for derision 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derision
Noun
  • While the bit was planned, some questioned whether she had been let in on the joke.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 17 Feb. 2025
  • Sunday night's show packed five decades of memories, references, music, and jokes into a three-hour program that was high on emotion, heart, and laughs.
    Melissa Locker, TIME, 17 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • After a decade of mediocrity or getting bounced out of the playoffs after one game, the roster and lack of depth have long been the subject of ridicule.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
  • Swift faced more ridicule after the loss from President Donald Trump, who attended the game, becoming the first sitting president to do so.
    Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 10 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Trump said Friday that the Pentagon and Department of Education are DOGE's next targets.
    Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
  • As of October, Illinois achieved less than half of our 40% renewable energy target for 2030.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near derision

Cite this Entry

“Derision.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derision. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on derision

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!