Derision

duh-rih-zhun

/dɪˈrɪʒ.ən/

Noun

Meaning

  • Derision means strong ridicule, mockery, or the act of laughing at someone in an insulting way.
  • It describes a situation where a person or idea is treated with contempt, scorn, or harsh laughter.

Examples

  • His proposal was met with derision by the entire committee.
  • The idea sounded strange at first and was greeted with derision, but later proved successful.
  • She faced derision from her classmates for her unusual hobby.
  • The comedian’s joke was about the derision people show toward new technology.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms Antonyms
Mockery Ridicule Scorn Taunting Sneering Contempt Respect Praise Admiration Approval

Word Forms

  • Derisive (adjective) – showing mockery or ridicule
  • Derisively (adverb) – in a mocking or scornful way
  • Derisiveness (noun) – the quality of being derisive

Origin / Etymology

From Latin derisio, meaning “a scoffing or laughing at,” formed from deridere – “to mock” or “to ridicule” (de- = down, ridere = to laugh).

Grammar Information

  • Used as a noun to express ridicule or scorn.
  • Common phrases: “laughing in derision,” “a subject of derision,” “treated with derision.”
  • Typically used in formal or literary contexts.

Translations

  • Hindi: उपहास / उपहास करना
  • Tamil: ஏளனம்
  • Telugu: వ్యంగ్యం / ఎగతాళి
  • Spanish: burla / escarnio
  • French: dérision / moquerie
  • German: Verspottung
  • Arabic: سخرية

Idioms & Phrases

  • Held up to derision – publicly mocked or ridiculed
  • Laugh in derision – laugh scornfully
  • A target of derision – someone who is mocked