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.
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