derisory

D2E1R1I1S1O1R1Y4
UK/dɪˈɹaɪzəɹi/

adjective

Laughable, ridiculous, especially due to being small, inadequate, or low-quality; provoking derision.

Similar
derisivepatheticabsurdcockeyedidioticlaughableludicrousnonsensical
OriginMiddle French dérisoire →
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Meanings

adjectivederisory (comparative more derisory, superlative most derisory)

comparative more derisory · superlative most derisory

  1. Laughable, ridiculous, especially due to being small, inadequate, or low-quality; provoking derision.
  2. Expressing derision; mocking; ridiculing.

Synonyms & antonyms

Similar
derisivepathetic

adjectiveso unreasonable as to invite derision

Similar
absurdcockeyedidioticlaughableludicrousnonsensicalpreposterousridiculousfoolish
Also see
absurdcockeyedderisivefoolishidioticlaughableludicrousnonsensicalpreposterousridiculous

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Middle Frenchdérisoire
  2. Englishderisory

From Middle French dérisoire.

More words from Middle French

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

derisory. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/derisory

MLA

“derisory.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/derisory. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “derisory,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/derisory.

Source: derisory on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.