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Showing results for derisory. Search instead for derisor.
Definitions

derisory

ADJECTIVE
contemptuous
Synonyms
STRONGEST
condescending derisive disdainful disrespectful haughty insulting scornful
WEAK
audacious bold cavalier cheeky cold-shoulder contumelious cool dog it hard hard-nosed high-and-mighty high-hat on high horse opprobrious sardonic sneering snippy snobbish snooty snotty supercilious temperamental uppity upstage
Antonyms
STRONGEST
flattering humble praising respectful
WEAK
polite respected shy
ADJECTIVE
crazy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
absurd bizarre foolish goofy insane irresponsible ludicrous odd outrageous preposterous ridiculous silly strange weird
STRONG
eccentric loony wild
WEAK
balmy beyond all reason cockeyed fatuous foolhardy half-baked harebrained idiotic ill-conceived impracticable imprudent inane inappropriate nonsensical out of all reason peculiar puerile quixotic senseless short-sighted unworkable
Antonyms
STRONGEST
logical normal rational reasonable sensible usual
WEAK
balanced believeable realistic responsible sane
ADJECTIVE
farcical
Synonyms
STRONGEST
amusing campy comical funny laughable ludicrous outrageous preposterous ridiculous slapstick
WEAK
camp comic diverting droll for grins gelastic joshing nonsensical risible stupid
Antonyms
STRONGEST
grave reasonable sad sensible serious tragic unfunny
WEAK
real
ADJECTIVE
laughable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
absurd bizarre comical fantastic farcical funny hilarious humorous ludicrous nonsensical preposterous ridiculous
WEAK
amusing asinine camp campy comic derisive diverting droll eccentric entertaining facetious gelastic har-har inane jocose jocular jokey joshing mirthful mocking rich riot risible scream unusual witty
Antonyms
STRONGEST
common dramatic grave logical normal reasonable sad sensible serious tragic unfunny usual
ADJECTIVE
laughing
Synonyms
STRONGEST
humorous
STRONG
amusing camp diverting entertaining joshing mocking riot scream
WEAK
absurd asinine bizarre campy comic comical derisive droll eccentric facetious fantastic farcical funny gelastic har-har hilarious inane jocose jocular jokey ludicrous mirthful nonsensical preposterous rich ridiculous risible unusual witty
Antonyms
STRONG
boring tiring unfunny
ADJECTIVE
paltry
Synonyms
STRONGEST
insignificant meager measly miserable pitiful puny trivial
WEAK
base beggarly cheap common contemptible despicable inconsiderable ineffectual limited low low-down mean minor narrow petty picayune piddling set shabby shoddy sleazy slight small sorry trashy trifling unconsequential unimportant vile wretched
Antonyms
STRONGEST
big consequential happy important large plenty significant substantial sufficient valuable worthwhile
WEAK
rich wealthy worthy
ADJECTIVE
piddling
Synonyms
STRONG
niggling pettifogging trifling
WEAK
little measly paltry peanut petty picayune puny trivial unimportant useless worthless
Antonyms
WEAK
important major significant
ADJECTIVE
ridiculous
Synonyms
STRONGEST
absurd bizarre fantastic foolish goofy impossible incredible laughable ludicrous nonsensical outrageous preposterous silly unbelievable wacky
WEAK
antic comic comical contemptible daffy droll farcical foolheaded gelastic grotesque harebrained hilarious jerky nutty risible sappy slaphappy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bad believable credible good logical plausible poor possible reasonable sensible serious tenable usual wise

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.

"All too often, the sentences handed down against the perpetrators of antisemitic offences and crimes seem derisory," he said.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

However, the Scottish Fishermen's Federation has described the deal as "disastrous" and said an offer of £28m for Scottish fishermen from the fund was "close to derisory".

From BBC • Oct. 22, 2025

She also described the offer of compensation to people living near the pylon route was "derisory".

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2025

The fresh dates were in response to a "derisory" 6% pay rise, said the BMA, a trade union for doctors.

From BBC • Jul. 16, 2023

A derisory light showed faintly in the younger man's eyes as he inquired, softly: "That all, Mr. Pryor?"

From The Flirt by Tarkington, Booth

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.