Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

derisive

/dɪˈraɪsɪv/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 2.36 in modern English

Syllables: de-ri-sive
IPA: /dɪˈraɪsɪv/

12

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

3

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Expressing or characterized by derision; mocking; ridiculing.

adj

Deserving or provoking derision or ridicule.

noun

A derisive remark.

Example Sentences

"The critic's review of the film was derisive."
"Johnson shook his head, a derisive grin ticking the corners of his mouth."
"It’s a humiliating moment, to be sure. Tripp is riding to school with a bunch of other kids when a classmate pulls up alongside the bus driving a sweet, tricked-out truck, attractive young lady at his side, and shoots Tripp a derisive look."
"The plot of the film was so derisive that the audience began to jeer."
"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."

Etymology

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

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /dɪˈraɪsɪv/
British English: /dɪˈɹaɪ.sɪv/

Inflected Forms

more derisive (comparative) most derisive (superlative) derisives (plural)

Derived Forms

derisively derisiveness underisive

Frequently Paired Words

deride derider derisible derision derisionary derisively derisory

Synonyms

mocking ridiculing scornful disdainful sardonic contemptuous ridiculous gibelike jeering taunting

Antonyms

respectful supportive praising respectable

Rhymes With

submissive dismissive permissive missive decisive divisive indecisive incisive previsive

Questions

How do you pronounce derisive?: The recorded pronunciation is /dɪˈraɪsɪv/.
What does derisive mean?: Expressing or characterized by derision; mocking; ridiculing.
Where does derisive come from?: From the participle stem of Latin dērīdeō (“to deride”) + -ive.

How to pronounce derisive

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