What does the word "derisive" mean?

Question

The context I am looking for is an adjective describing an "attitude", which in turn projects tone in literature. It wasn't in my Merriam-Webster dictionary, which is the best I have. Please help!

Answer 1

abusing people with words, things that cause offence when said to people.

Answer 2

A derisive noise, expression,or remark expresses contempt.

ex...There was a short derisive laugh.

*

Answer 3

Mocking, talking down to, making fun of

ex. I could have writen a derisive response to this question.

Answer 4

abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule;

Words and phrases are pejorative if they imply contempt or disapproval

Expressing or characterized by derision; mocking; ridiculing

Mocking; jeering.

Answer 5

derisive

adjective

--------------

      Contemptuous or ironic in manner or wit: jeering, mocking, sarcastic, satiric, satirical, scoffing, sneering. See laughter, respect/contempt/standing.

The adjective has one meaning:

--------------------------------------...

Meaning #1: abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule

  Synonyms: gibelike, jeering, mocking, taunting

Antonyms: derisive

---------------------------

adj

Definition: ridiculing

Antonyms: complimentary, flattering, praising, respectful

Answer 6

mockingly scornful: showing contempt or ridicule

[Mid-17th century. <derision]

derisive or derisory?

Derisive means "showing contempt or ridicule": He gave a derisive laugh.Derisory means "so small or inadequate as to deserve contempt or ridicule": a derisory offer, though it sometimes is used as a synonym of derisive, as in looked at me with a derisory smile. Careful writers do try to maintain the distinction and the use of derisory where derisive is appropriate is best avoided.

http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/d...

Etymology

From the participle stem of Latin dērīdeō (“‘I deride’”).

   1. Expressing or characterized by derision; mocking; ridiculing.

          The critics review of the film was derisive.

   2. Deserving or provoking derision or ridicule.

          The plot of the film was so derisive that the audience began to jeer.

    * (expressing or characterized by derision): mocking, ridiculing

    * (deserving or provoking derision): ridiculous

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/derisive

adjective

abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule; "derisive laughter"; "a jeering crowd"; "her mocking smile"; "taunting shouts of 'coward' and 'sissy'"

characterized by or expressing derision; contemptuous; mocking: derisive heckling.

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q...