derision

noun de·ri·sion \di-ˈri-zhən\

: the feeling that people express when they criticize and laugh at someone or something in an insulting way

Full Definition of DERISION

a : the use of ridicule or scorn to show contempt

b : a state of being laughed at or ridiculed : a state of being derided

: an object of ridicule or scorn

See derision defined for English-language learners

See derision defined for kids

Examples of DERISION

My remarks were anodyne, but some other snippets of marginalia were shrieks of derision… —Paul Theroux, Granta 44, Summer 1993
Britain had its boffins, working researchers subject to the derision of intellectual gentlemen. —James Gleick, Genius: The Life & Science of Richard Feynman, 1992
… discussion, laughter, lecturing, but no shouts or threats, no yardsticks banging for silence, no words of shame or derision. —Lorene Cary, Black Ice, 1991
The whole idea of Camelot excites derision. In fact, I am sure Kennedy would have derided it himself. No one at the time ever thought of his Washington as Camelot. —Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., The Cycles of American History, 1986
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Origin of DERISION

Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin derision-, derisio, from Latin deridēre (see deride)

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DERISION

Synonyms: butt, laughingstock, jest, joke, mark, mock, mockery, sport, target

Rhymes with DERISION

abscission, collision, concision, decision, division, dream vision, elision, elysian, envision, excision, incision, misprision, North Frisian, Parisian, precisian, precision, prevision, provision, recision, rescission, revision

DERISION Defined for Kids

derision

noun de·ri·sion \di-ˈri-zhən\

Definition of DERISION for Kids

: a feeling of dislike or disrespect often shown by the use of insults <… The villagers spoke of Min—usually in jest, but sometimes with derision … — Linda Sue Park, A Single Shard>