derisive

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities

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

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

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

derisive laughter
laughter that expresses contempt or makes fun of someone

Adjective + noun

Etymology

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

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# derisive

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** adj
**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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