derisive
gb/dɚˈaɪsɪv/ us/dɚˈaɪsɪv/
C1
English
gúnyos, lekicsinylő, megvető
C1
FORMAL
1
gúnyos
B2
Usage pattern:
derisive [laugh/smile/remark] (at [someone/something])
He gave a derisive laugh when she said she wanted to run for office.
Gúnyosan felnevetett, amikor a nő azt mondta, hogy indulni akar a választáson.
The crowd’s derisive comments made the speaker lose his train of thought.
A tömeg gúnyos megjegyzései miatt az előadó elvesztette a gondolatmenetét.
She shot him a derisive look and walked away.
Learner examples
His tone was derisive.
Gúnyos volt a hangja.
They were derisive about my idea.
Gúnyosan beszéltek az ötletemről.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse derisive (mocking) with derisory (too small or not enough, e.g., a derisory amount).
Meaning
mocking in a cruel way
Collocations
derisive laugh
|derisive laughter
|derisive smile
|derisive snort
|derisive chuckle
|derisive remark
|derisive comment
|derisive gesture
|a derisive look
|a derisive response
Synonyms
mocking (More general and common; not always as harsh.)
|
sneering (Often suggests a facial expression showing contempt.)
|
ridiculing (Emphasizes making someone/something seem silly.)
|
scornful (Focuses on contempt rather than humor.)
|
taunting (Suggests provoking someone repeatedly to upset them.)
Antonyms
respectful (Shows regard rather than ridicule.)
|
supportive (Encouraging rather than mocking.)
|
admiring (Expresses approval rather than scorn.)
Themes
communication
|emotions
|social_relations
Definition
If someone is derisive, they laugh at or make fun of someone in an unkind way.
Showing that you think someone or something is foolish or deserving of ridicule, often in a hurtful way.
C1
FORMAL
2
lekicsinylő
C1
megvető
B2
Usage pattern:
derisive of [someone/something] | derisive about [something]
Several critics were derisive of the new policy, calling it ‘fantasy economics.’
Több kritikus is lekicsinylően nyilatkozott az új politikáról, „fantáziagazdaságtannak” nevezve azt.
He was derisive about her experience, as if it didn’t count.
Lekicsinylően beszélt a tapasztalatáról, mintha az semmit sem számítana.
The idea was met with a derisive response from the committee.
Learner examples
She was derisive of my suggestion.
Lekicsinylően beszélt a javaslatomról.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use derisive for neutral disagreement; it is stronger and usually implies insult or contempt.
Meaning
contemptuous and dismissive
Collocations
derisive of the proposal
|derisive about his qualifications
|a derisive tone
|derisive criticism
|derisive response
|derisive dismissal
|derisive attitude
|a derisive reaction
|derisive toward newcomers
|derisive about the plan
Synonyms
dismissive (May be less openly insulting than derisive.)
|
contemptuous (Stresses contempt more than ridicule.)
|
disparaging (Emphasizes speaking negatively to reduce value or respect.)
|
deprecating (Often milder; can also be used about oneself.)
Antonyms
serious (Treats something as worth attention rather than ridicule.)
|
considerate (Shows care for others’ feelings rather than contempt.)
|
approving (Expresses positive judgment rather than scorn.)
Themes
communication
|opinions
|social_relations
Definition
Derisive can also mean showing you think something is stupid or not important.
Expressing contempt by treating a person, idea, or effort as not worth serious attention.
Grammar
Dictionary form
derisive
IPA
GB/dɚˈaɪsɪv/
US/dɚˈaɪsɪv/
Syllables & stress
de - ris - ive (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (de)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: derisive
Word family
Core family
Related words
derisory
adjective
Expressions
derisive comment
1/dɚˈaɪsɪv kˈɑmɛnt/
fixed phrase
formal
a mocking remark
a comment that makes fun of someone
Examples
- She made a derisive comment about his accent.
- Derisive comments online quickly turned the debate ugly.
- He apologized for the derisive comment he had made earlier.
Learner examples
- Please don’t make derisive comments.
derisive laugh
1/dɚˈaɪsɪv lˈæf/
fixed phrase
formal
a mocking laugh
a laugh that shows you are mocking someone
Examples
- He let out a derisive laugh and shook his head.
- She gave a derisive laugh at the suggestion.
- A derisive laugh from the audience interrupted him.
Learner examples
- He gave a derisive laugh.
derisive laughter
1/dɚˈaɪsɪv lˈæftɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
mocking laughter
laughter that makes fun of someone
Examples
- Derisive laughter rose from the back of the room.
- Her comment was met with derisive laughter from her classmates.
- He ignored the derisive laughter and continued speaking.
Learner examples
- I heard derisive laughter.