derision towards

USAGE SUMMARY

"derision towards" is a correct phrase in written English and can be used in various contexts.
It is typically used to describe a feeling or attitude of ridicule or mockery towards someone or something. Here are a couple of examples: 1. The speaker's constant derision towards his opponents only served to further polarize the audience. 2. She could sense the derision towards her unconventional ideas among her colleagues. 3. Despite his efforts, he could not escape the derision towards his appearance from his peers. 4. The comedian's jokes were met with roars of derision and laughter from the audience. 5. The politician tried to ignore the derision towards his policies and continued to push for change.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The cumulative effect of thousands of daily public expressions of derision towards Assad binds Syrians irrevocably to the goal of removing him.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Nobody cares if you can code," he says, pronouncing that verb with a bit of derision towards its newish meaning, "if you cry if your boss doesn't say hi".

The New Yorker

"There was a bit of derision towards being a bartender and I think that was the reason behind that period where bartenders were trying to be overly serious and prove it was a valuable thing".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Britain First has declared a victory over the BBC since the airing of documentary 'We Want Our Country Back', claiming it has brought the group an "abundance of support," despite public reaction on Twitter showing nothing but anger and derision towards the far-right group.

Independent

Their goal, it appears, is to express contempt for Islam, for its sacred symbols and to generate derision towards those who believe in it.

Huffington Post

The point is that they are not in principle against these social ills; they use them to justify their derision towards Islam and Muslims.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Why the near-instinctual derision toward white meat?

The New York Times

Written in abbreviated English, the discussion of kickbacks and rewards, the urging of fixes, and the derision felt towards clients are easy to see among those at the centre of the Libor rate-fixing scandal that has stained the reputation of the City of London.

Independent

After months of ignorance and even derision by some insular Australian league figures towards the tournament, interest has suddenly taken an upward swing in the build-up to Saturday's opener between Peacock's men and Papua New Guinea in Townsville.

The Guardian - Sport

The scorn felt by IS followers towards al-Qaeda is nothing new, but their derision surged after the declaration, indicating the rivalry between the two groups.

BBC

Her appearance in a television advertisement for sanitary towels – the "Wings" ad in 1991 – brought her derision from some quarters but was a milestone that changed attitudes towards showing sanitary products on TV.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "derision towards" to clearly convey a sense of scornful mockery directed at a specific target. Ensure the context makes it clear who or what is being ridiculed.

Common error

Avoid using "derision towards" when you intend to express general disapproval or disagreement. This phrase specifically implies scornful laughter or ridicule directed at a particular person or idea.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "derision towards" functions as a noun phrase acting as an object of a preposition, indicating a feeling or attitude. This is supported by the Ludwig AI response, affirming its correct usage. The examples provided show it expressing negative sentiment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Wiki

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "derision towards" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express scornful ridicule directed at someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not overly common, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the target of the derision is clear and that the tone is appropriate for the intended audience. Consider alternatives like "contempt for" or "scorn for" to subtly adjust the intensity of the sentiment. Avoid using it when you simply disagree, as it conveys a much stronger and more negative feeling. Its effective use hinges on understanding the communicative purpose and its implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contempt for

Highlights a strong feeling of disapproval and disrespect.

scorn for

Emphasizes a feeling of contempt and disdain.

disdain for

Suggests a feeling of superiority and condescension.

ridicule of

Focuses on making someone or something the object of laughter.

mockery of

Focuses on the act of mocking, rather than the feeling behind it.

belittling of

Emphasizes the act of making someone or something seem unimportant.

jeering at

Suggests a more active and vocal expression of mockery.

slighting of

Indicates a more subtle form of disrespect and disregard.

satire on

Implies the use of humor to criticize and expose flaws.

caricature of

Suggests an exaggerated representation to mock or criticize.

FAQs

How can I use "derision towards" in a sentence?

You can use "derision towards" to show scornful mockery directed at a specific person, idea, or thing. For example, "The politician's speech was met with "derision towards" his proposed policies".

What phrases are similar to "derision towards"?

Similar phrases include "contempt for", "scorn for", or "mockery of". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "derision towards" formal or informal?

"Derision towards" is suitable for neutral to formal contexts, often found in news reporting or academic writing.

What's the difference between "derision towards" and "disagreement with"?

"Derision towards" implies a feeling of scornful ridicule, while "disagreement with" simply indicates a difference of opinion. The former is much stronger and more negative than the latter.