derisive meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

derisive

adj

UK /dɪˈɹaɪ.sɪv/ · CA, US /dɪˈraɪsɪv/

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

Expressing or characterized by derision; mocking; ridiculing.

The critic's review of the film was derisive.
Johnson shook his head, a derisive grin ticking the corners of his mouth.1970, Wally Ferris, Across 110th, page 69:

1 more example

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.2017 January 12, Jesse Hassenger, “A literal monster truck is far from the stupidest thing about Monster Trucks”, in The Onion AV Club, archived from the original on 27 Jan 2017:

Deserving or provoking derision or ridicule.

Synonyms: mocking, ridiculing, scornful, disdainful, sardonic, contemptuous, ridiculous
Antonyms: respectful, supportive, praising, respectable
Derived terms: derisively, derisiveness, underisive
Related terms: deride, derider, derisible, derision, derisionary, derisively, derisory

noun

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

Rare A derisive remark.

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.1894, Samuel Rutherford Crockett, The Stickit Minister: And Some Common Men, page 173:
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.1962, Homer Floyd Fansler, History of Tucker County, West Virginia, page 192:

1 more example

Indeed, the power inherent in the labels attributed to them has repeatedly transformed these terms from allegedly scientific ones into colloquial derisives.2017, Bogdadn Lesnik, Countering Discrimination in Social Work: