derisory

USAGE SUMMARY

'derisory' is a valid word in written English.
It is an adjective that means something is contemptibly small or inadequate. Example sentence: He was unimpressed with the derisory amount of money they offered him for the car.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Publisher Egmont's decision to abridge AA Milne's stories for a new app has caused a backlash, including a derisory leader in the Times and a debate on the Today programme.

The Guardian - Books

Their fevered pursuit of Labor on fiscal policy came down to a derisory 0.4% difference in approach.

The Guardian

And upfront compensation to local farmers for use of their land is derisory: often just a few months of income for agreeing to a 100-year lease".The risks associated with such investments are immense," concludes the World Bank.

The Economist

This is aggravated by the capital charges applied to lending and, for the larger banks, on the deposits themselves.Not surprisingly, revenue growth in the sector is derisory.

The Economist

Shareholders in Argentaria are being offered a derisory sum for control of their bank.

The Economist

This draws on a derisory term from the 1850s, which was applied to those who sought to create a nobility in frontier-era Australia.

The Economist

Not counting public money and taxes that have been deferred, the big banks' capital is derisory: equivalent to barely 2% of their assets, a mere quarter of the minimum that international rules require.

The Economist

Nor have any of the new groups adopted a target for return on equity.And merging does little to solve banks' biggest underlying problem: masses of loans to big companies that earn derisory returns, at best.

The Economist

The LSE rejected the bid as "derisory" and the Australian firm eventually withdrew.

The Economist

It "emphatically rejected" Kraft's direct offer to its shareholders, adding, just for good measure, that it was "derisory".Related items Schumpeter: Food fightNov 5th 2009 Confectionery: Hovering KraftSep 7th 2009Cadbury also reiterated that it was unwilling to be consumed by a "low-growth conglomerate" insisting that its fortunes would be far better served by remaining independent.

The Economist

Analysts are speculating about the emergence of a white knight, perhaps Sara Lee, an American food-to-clothing group.Two years ago, Barilla's offer of euro12 per share would have looked derisory.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "derisory" when you want to express not just that something is small, but that it's so small it's almost insulting or ridiculous. It adds a layer of contempt to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "derisory" when you simply mean something is small or little. "Derisory" carries a strong connotation of contempt or ridicule, so ensure the context warrants that extra layer of meaning.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "derisory" primarily functions to qualify a noun, emphasizing its inadequacy to a degree that evokes ridicule or contempt. Ludwig shows that the term is commonly used to describe sums of money, efforts, or outcomes deemed insultingly small.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "derisory" is used to describe something contemptibly small or inadequate, carrying a strong connotation of ridicule. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media contexts. When using "derisory", ensure the context warrants the expression of contempt, distinguishing it from simply describing something as small or inadequate. Alternatives like "laughably inadequate" or "insultingly small" can provide similar nuances. The high expert rating and frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The Economist and The Guardian underscore its valid and impactful use in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

laughably inadequate

Focuses on the absurdity of the inadequacy, implying it's so small it's comical.

insultingly small

Highlights the offensive nature of the small amount, suggesting it's disrespectful.

pathetically insufficient

Emphasizes the sadness or pity associated with the inadequacy.

woefully inadequate

Stresses the deep disappointment caused by the inadequacy.

scandalously low

Implies the inadequacy is shocking and morally wrong.

meager to the point of mockery

Highlights the intention or effect of mockery due to the scantiness.

contemptibly trifling

Stresses the insignificance and the disdain associated with it.

paltry and offensive

Combines the ideas of being small in quantity with causing displeasure.

a joke of an amount

Uses an informal tone to convey that something is not serious because is too small.

barely worth mentioning

Highlights how insignificant the item in question is.

FAQs

How can I use "derisory" in a sentence?

You can use "derisory" to describe amounts, efforts, or qualities that are so small or inadequate as to be contemptible, for example, "The company offered a "derisory sum" for the acquisition".

What words are similar to "derisory"?

Alternatives to "derisory" include "laughably inadequate", "insultingly small", or "pathetically insufficient". Each carries a slightly different nuance of inadequacy and contempt.

Is it appropriate to use "derisory" in formal writing?

Yes, "derisory" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in news, academic, or professional contexts where a critical or dismissive tone is appropriate.

What's the difference between "derisory" and "inadequate"?

"Inadequate" simply means insufficient or not good enough. "Derisory" implies a level of inadequacy that is so extreme as to be worthy of ridicule or contempt. Therefore, "derisory" carries a stronger emotional charge.