derision
Americannoun
-
ridicule; mockery.
The inept performance elicited derision from the audience.
-
an object of ridicule.
noun
-
the act of deriding; mockery; scorn
-
an object of mockery or scorn
Other Word Forms
- derisible adjective
- nonderisible adjective
- underisible adjective
Etymology
Origin of derision
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English derisioun, from Old French derision, from Late Latin dērīsiōn-, stem of dērīsiō, from Latin dērīs(us) “mocked” (past participle of dērīdēre “to mock”; deride ) + -iō -ion
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Asking what his job title would be, he met with derision: “What title? Call yourself contessa if you want to!”
“No. Your worst crime was to hold me up to derision.”
From Literature
His voice was laced with derision, but he spoke low enough that the other worker wouldn’t hear.
From Literature
One thing Welsh rugby does not want is pity or derision.
From BBC
Arsenal's huddle at the start of the second half was greeted with more derision and jeers.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
