derogate

[ verb der-uh-geyt; adjective der-uh-git, -geyt ]
See synonyms for derogate on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object),der·o·gat·ed, der·o·gat·ing.
  1. to detract, as from authority, estimation, etc. (usually followed by from).

  2. to stray in character or conduct; degenerate (usually followed by from).

verb (used with object),der·o·gat·ed, der·o·gat·ing.
  1. to disparage or belittle.

  2. Archaic. to take away (a part) so as to impair the whole.

adjective
  1. Archaic. debased.

Origin of derogate

1
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English from Latin dērogātus “repealed, restricted” (past participle of dērogāre ), equivalent to dē- de- + rog(āre) “to ask” + -ātus -ate1

synonym study For derogate

1. See decry.

Other words from derogate

  • der·o·ga·tion [der-uh-gey-shuhn], /ˌdɛr əˈgeɪ ʃən/, noun
  • un·der·o·gat·ing, adjective

Words that may be confused with derogate

Words Nearby derogate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use derogate in a sentence

  • Musteazem, however, shook his head, to indicate that he was not prepared to derogate so far from his dignity.

    The Boy Crusaders | John G. Edgar

British Dictionary definitions for derogate

derogate

verb(ˈdɛrəˌɡeɪt)
  1. (intr foll by from) to cause to seem inferior or be in disrepute; detract

  2. (intr foll by from) to deviate in standard or quality; degenerate

  1. (tr) to cause to seem inferior, etc; disparage

  2. (tr) to curtail the application of (a law or regulation)

adjective(ˈdɛrəɡɪt, -ˌɡeɪt)
  1. archaic debased or degraded

Origin of derogate

1
C15: from Latin dērogāre to repeal some part of a law, modify it, from de- + rogāre to ask, propose a law

Derived forms of derogate

  • derogately, adverb
  • derogation, noun
  • derogative (dɪˈrɒɡətɪv), adjective
  • derogatively, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012