derogatory

[dih-rog-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]

adjective

1. tending to lessen the merit or reputation of a person or thing; disparaging; depreciatory.

   a derogatory remark.

   Synonyms: uncomplimentary

derogatory

/ -trɪ, dɪˈrɒɡətərɪ /

adjective

1. tending or intended to detract, disparage, or belittle; intentionally offensive

Other Word Forms

• derogatorily adverb
• derogatoriness noun
• nonderogatorily adverb
• nonderogatorilyness noun
• nonderogatory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of derogatory¹

First recorded in 1495–1505; from Late Latin dērogātōrius “belonging to a repeal”; equivalent to derogate + -tory ¹

Example Sentences

Court papers state Ms Bunyan accused Mr Renteria of also making derogatory comments about her appearance and threatening to affect her immigration status.

From BBC

The latter segment was in breach of guidance that prohibits "unduly intimidating, humiliating, intrusive, aggressive or derogatory remarks aimed at real people", the ruling said.

From BBC

The arriving officers were then directed to a utility box where someone had written derogatory statements against the LGBTQ+ community.

From Los Angeles Times

Last year, Plave's agency filed a civil suit against against a social media user for making derogatory remarks about the group online.

From BBC

Starmer, meanwhile, has not been subjected to a humiliating dressing down or given a derogatory nickname.

From BBC

Related Words

• defamatory 
• degrading 
• demeaning 
• disparaging 
• sarcastic 
• slanderous 
• unflattering