derision
gb/dɚˈɪʒən/ us/dɚˈɪʒən/
C1
English
~ 9700
gúny
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
1
gúny
B1
Usage pattern:
derision for [someone/something]
His proposal was met with open derision from the board members.
A javaslatát a testület tagjai nyílt gúnnyal fogadták.
The young singer once treated with derision is now praised around the world.
A fiatal énekest, akit egykor gúnnyal kezeltek, ma már világszerte dicsérik.
The idea that the internet would change everything was initially greeted with derision.
She could hear the derision in their voices when they mentioned her name.
The team became a source of national derision after losing every game that season.
Learner examples
His plan was met with derision from his friends.
A barátai gúnnyal fogadták a tervét.
The teacher’s new rule was first treated with derision by the students.
A tanár új szabályát a diákok eleinte gúnnyal fogadták.
They spoke with derision about his job.
Years ago, electric cars were sometimes a subject of derision.
She tried to ignore the derision in their laughter.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "derision" with the more common verb phrase "make fun of." "Derision" is a noun, not a verb, so you say "Their idea was met with derision," not "They derisioned their idea." Learners may also mix it up with "decision" or "division" because of similar spelling, but the meanings are unrelated.
Meaning
contemptuous ridicule or mockery
Collocations
held in derision
|subject to derision
|the target of derision
|mockery and derision
|laughter and derision
|derision from critics
Synonyms
ridicule (Very close in meaning; slightly more common and less formal than "derision.")
|
mockery (Focuses more on the act of making fun of someone, sometimes less harsh than "derision.")
|
scorn (Emphasizes deep disrespect or disgust; may or may not include open laughter.)
|
contempt (Highlights the feeling of strong disrespect; "derision" is that feeling expressed as ridicule.)
Antonyms
respect (Shows positive regard and esteem instead of laughing at someone.)
|
praise (Openly expresses approval, the opposite of openly mocking someone.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|social
Definition
strong and open mockery that shows you do not respect someone or something
Open ridicule or mocking behavior that clearly shows strong contempt or lack of respect toward someone or something.
Grammar
Dictionary form
derision
IPA
GB/dɚˈɪʒən/
US/dɚˈɪʒən/
Syllables & stress
de - ri - sion (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (de)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: derision
- Plural: derision
Word family
Core family
deride
verb
derisive
adjective C1
Related words
derisively
adverb C1
Advanced or less common
derisory
adjective
Expressions
hold in derision
1/hˈoʊld ˈɪn dɚˈɪʒən/
fixed phrase
formal
regard with mocking contempt
to think of someone or something with strong dislike and open mockery
Examples
- For years, traditional critics held comic books in derision.
- Early users of smartphones were often held in derision by people who thought the devices were a silly fad.
subject to derision
1/sˈʌbd͡ʒɪkt tə dɚˈɪʒən/
fixed phrase
formal
receive mocking contempt
to be in a position where people openly laugh at you and show no respect
Examples
- Anyone who questioned the policy was immediately subject to derision.
- The company’s early products were subject to derision but slowly gained respect.
the object of derision
1/ðə ˈɑbd͡ʒɛkt əv dɚˈɪʒən/
fixed phrase
formal
person or thing everyone mocks
a person or thing that many people openly laugh at and do not respect
Examples
- Once the object of derision, the small startup is now worth billions.
- His strange clothes made him the object of derision at school.