disparage
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
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to speak contemptuously of; belittle
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to damage the reputation of
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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disparagementnoun
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disparagingadjective
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disparagernoun
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disparaginglyadverb
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undisparagedadjective
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has disparagedperfect 3rd person singular
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have disparagedperfect
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am disparagingprogressive 1st person singular
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is disparagingprogressive 3rd person singular
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has been disparagingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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have been disparagingperfect progressive
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are disparagingprogressive
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disparagessingular 3rd person
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disparagingparticiple
Past
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had disparagedperfect
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was disparagingprogressive singular
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were disparagingprogressive plural
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had been disparagingperfect progressive
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disparagedparticiple
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disparagedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of disparage
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French desparag(i)er “to match unequally,” from des- dis- 1 + -parag(i)er, verb derivative of parage “equal rank,” also “high birth, noble descent” ( see peerage)
Explanation
If you haven't got anything nice to say, then it's time to disparage someone. It means to belittle or degrade a person or idea. Disparage is a specific way to describe a certain kind of insult, the kind that secures the insulter's place as superior. It often refers to an opinion or criticism lobbed in print or via word of mouth, not necessarily an act done to someone's face. If someone or something is being disparaged, you will often find a competing interest in the wings.
Vocabulary lists containing disparage
The Bill of Rights
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Grade 11, List 2
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All About That Baseless: Bad-Faith Accusations
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He called upon people to love their enemies, not rebuke them or disparage their existence.
From Salon • Jun. 5, 2026
Newly appointed "60 Minutes" executive producer Nick Bilton said Pelley "hijacked my first meeting with staff to disparage me, my qualifications, and my intentions with remarkable incivility and contempt."
From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026
“At no point in time did I mean, or was it my intent, to disparage a jury,” Connolly said.
From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026
“I took all of his commentary to be very, very careful not to disparage any person on the court or elsewhere,” she said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026
“It’s an archaic instrument with no room for subtlety. Not to disparage your choice of instrument,” I said quickly.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
