derisory

/dɪˈraɪsəri/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈraɪsəri/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈrī-sə-rē -zə-/ (ame, mw)

derisory — adjective

  • derisorypositive
  • more derisorycomparative
  • most derisorysuperlative

1. so small in amount or value that it is laughable and completely unacceptable — u

1.形容詞B2
釋義

so small in amount or value that it is laughable and completely unacceptable — used especially about pay offers, compensation, or funding that falls far short of what is fair or expected.

例句

The company offered the manager a derisory pay rise of just one percent.

derisory + pay rise — typical collocation for salary offers

Union leaders rejected the derisory wage increase as an insult to workers.

同義詞
  • laughable

    less formal, more general — can describe any ridiculous situation, not just amounts

  • paltry

    closer in meaning but slightly milder; paltry suggests insignificance, while derisory suggests absurd unfairness

  • meagre

    British English; describes a small inadequate amount without the contemptuous tone of derisory

反義詞
  • generous

    opposite in terms of amount — a generous offer is fair or more than expected

  • substantial

    opposite in size or value — a substantial sum is large and meaningful

文法句型

derisory + noun (amount / offer / pay / sum / wage)

用法筆記

Subject is typically a formal entity (company, government, insurer) and the modified noun is a quantifiable amount (pay, offer, settlement, sum, wage, funding). Common in British journalism and political commentary; less frequent in American English.

常見錯誤

❌The food at the restaurant was derisory' (wrong: derisory applies to amounts, not quality).
✅The pay at the restaurant was derisory.
💡This word describes inadequate quantities, not poor quality.

2. showing a complete lack of respect by treating someone or something as stupid or

2.形容詞C1
釋義

showing a complete lack of respect by treating someone or something as stupid or worthless — used about a laugh, comment, tone, or gesture that openly expresses contempt.

例句

A derisory laugh from the back of the room made the speaker lose confidence.

derisory laugh — common fixed collocation

The judge's derisory tone toward the defendant's excuse was obvious to everyone in court.

derisory tone — typical with spoken expressions of contempt

同義詞
  • scornful

    very similar, but scornful is more about personal contempt while derisory also implies mockery

  • disdainful

    emphasises a sense of superiority; less openly mocking than derisory

  • dismissive

    focuses on rejecting something as unimportant rather than actively mocking it

反義詞
  • admiring

    expressing respect and approval

  • respectful

    showing proper regard for someone or something

文法句型

derisory + noun (laugh, comment, tone, remark)

be + derisory + about + noun

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (RIDICULOUSLY SMALL): sense 2 describes a hostile or contemptuous attitude, not an inadequate amount. If the subject is a person's manner of speaking or laughing, use sense 2. If the subject is an amount of money, use sense 1.

常見錯誤

❌Her salary was derisory' (intended as sense 2, but salary is an amount).
✅Her derisory laugh upset the team.
💡Use sense 1 for amounts of money; use sense 2 for attitudes and expressions.