DERISION Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

derision

noun

di-ˈri-zhən

Definition of derision

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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 Seasonally, the internet bats around derision for party people of a certain age. — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 26 July 2026 Anthony Taylor’s decision to end his illustrious career sparked an outpouring of gratitude and respect from his colleagues that was overwhelmed by widespread derision from some football supporters. — Graham Scott, New York Times, 23 July 2026 But that won’t happen if efforts to lower taxes are met with derision, and the notion that tax breaks only benefit the very rich. — Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 15 July 2026 Many who do discuss it have had their lives ruined by that derision. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for derision

Recent Examples of Synonyms for derision

Noun

And honestly, that’s kind of the best joke there is — some classic America’s Funniest Home Videos type stuff.

— Maria Bamford, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
Sumaila has a running joke about it, borrowed from an old British comedy about a heist gone wrong.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of joke

Noun

While returning to Southern California brought the Bruins’ starting quarterback closer to his roots and family, the social media ridicule chased him cross-country, targeting not just him, but his parents too.

— Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Trump was awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize before the tournament began, a decision which triggered widespread ridicule across the world.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of ridicule

Noun

Transits are what revealed most of the more than 6,000 exoplanets now known, and Roman’s planners expect the bulge’s target-rich environment to yield on order of 100,000 more.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 29 Aug. 2026
As a kinetic interceptor, Seeker appears designed to physically strike its target rather than rely on a conventional air-defense warhead.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of target

Noun

But don’t let the cute style fool you—this look is super practical, too.

— Kayla Becker, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2026
However, reinventing Beethoven at the Bowl, doing so following Dudamel and with little rehearsal time, could easily become a fool’s errand.

— Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of fool

Browse Nearby Words

de rigueur

derision

derisions

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Style

“Derision.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derision. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of derision

noun

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