derisive

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /dɪˈraɪsɪv/ UK /dɪˈɹaɪ.sɪv/ See IPA manual

adj noun Freq #70317

Meanings

1

adj
Showing scorn or contempt; mocking.

He gave a derisive laugh when he heard their excuse.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · showing scorn or contempt;... contemptuous disdainful mocking sardonic scornful

Opposites

praising respectable respectful supportive

Word family

Derived forms derisivelyderisivenessunderisive

Related forms deride deriderderisiblederisionderisionaryderisively derisory

Etymology

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

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

# derisive

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** adj, noun
**IPA (US):** dɪˈraɪsɪv
**IPA (UK):** dɪˈɹaɪ.sɪv
**Frequency rank:** 70317

## Meanings
1. Showing scorn or contempt; mocking.

## Examples
- He gave a derisive laugh when he heard their excuse.

## Antonyms
- praising
- respectable
- respectful
- supportive

## Derived Forms
- derisively
- derisiveness
- underisive

## Related Forms
- deride
- derider
- derisible
- derision
- derisionary
- derisively
- derisory

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

## AI Etymology
Derisive is from the participle stem of Latin dērīdeō (“to deride”) + -ive. The analysis is mainly morphological: the modern adjectival form is built from the named base and affix. Current senses include showing scorn or contempt; mocking. The wider family includes derived forms such as derisively, derisiveness, and underisive and related words such as deride, derider, derisible, derision, and derisionary.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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derisive

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