DERISORY Synonyms: 153 Similar and Opposite Words

derisory

adjective

di-ˈrī-sə-rē

Definition of derisory

as in insulting

intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value a literary snob, she invariably used the derisory term "the boob tube" when referring to television

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ridiculous

so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter the pawnbroker offered what I regarded as a derisory amount for the diamond ring

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 derisory She was then remanded in a nunnery, given a derisory sentence — less than two years in jail — before being released with a presidential pardon. — Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2024 The state media are full of derisory commentary about the alleged hypocrisy, decadence, and even blasphemy that is supposedly on display in Paris. — Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Aug. 2024 Often enough beautiful can be used as a derisory adjective in this context. — Guy Trebay, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2023 But when people invest in their own solar panels and start producing electricity, the feed in tariff pays them back a derisory amount. — Jemma Green, Forbes, 22 Apr. 2022 The contents of his elegant Tite Street home — roughly 2,000 books, all the furnishings, even the children’s toys — were sold at a bankruptcy auction for derisory sums. — Washington Post, 13 Oct. 2021 There’s no escaping that the current ESG qualifications of most directors and executives is derisory, and mandatory disclosures would provide the stick to increase competency. — Paul Polman, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2021 Arsenal are seemingly the latest club to have entered the Harry Maguire saga alongside Manchester United and Manchester City, only to make a derisory transfer enquiry for the Leicester and England centre back well below the Foxes' asking price. — SI.com, 3 July 2019

Recent Examples of Synonyms for derisory

Adjective

Even instances of heckling at games – over performance on the court – felt good-natured, rather than insulting.

— Odette Yousef, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
The adventures of Addison’s titular shilling include being hoarded, offered as a bribe, and sent as an insulting accompaniment to a letter disinheriting a son.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of insulting

Adjective

Tribunals have been appointed, and Coriolanus’ scornful elitism strikes them as too heavy a price for his military protection.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Atletico did not believe this was a serious attempt to sign the player, and reacted with more angry and scornful social media posts.

— Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 23 June 2026

Definition of scornful

Adjective

The roster might as well be an All-Star team, and this pitching staff is absurd.

— David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
The very idea of a trade war with Canada — our neighbor, our ally, our closest friend, a nation that’s peaceful and whose people have a reputation for kindness — is absurd.

— Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of absurd

Adjective

The Larson campaign became openly contemptuous of Bronin at the May convention.

— Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026
The man didn’t catch Serena’s contemptuous expression, however, too busy peeling bills from a money clip and pressing them into his date’s hand.

— Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026

Definition of contemptuous

Adjective

This subsided with unusual speed, however, as cricket fans took instead to sharing the self-deprecatory jokes coming over the border.

— The Economist, The Economist, 22 June 2019
Philipps has acquired her 1-million-and-growing Instagram followers through her self-deprecatory humor, raw honesty and vulnerability.

— Sonja Haller, USA TODAY, 11 July 2018

Definition of deprecatory

Browse Nearby Words

derisive

derisory

derivable

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Derisory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derisory. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of derisory

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes