disparaging
Americanadjective
Sensitive Note
In this dictionary, the label Disparaging indicates that a term or definition is used with a deliberate intent to disparage, as to belittle a particular ethnic, religious, or social group. It is often paired with the label Offensive, which describes a term that gives offense whether or not any offense was intended.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of disparaging
First recorded in 1635–45; disparag(e) + -ing 2
Explanation
When you are disparaging, you express negative, low opinions in order to lower someone's reputation. Your friend will probably not appreciate it if you make disparaging comments about his girlfriend. In its original use, disparage meant "to marry unequally," and it was considered a disgrace if a very wealthy son married, say, the kitchen maid. Nowadays we use disparaging for any derogatory or belittling expression or comment. If you just won an Olympic gold medal, it's just rude and unnecessary to be disparaging about the silver medalist in an interview. Making disparaging remarks about your friend's cooking is unlikely to result in better food — he'll just get mad.
Vocabulary lists containing disparaging
ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone, List 2
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And Then There Were None
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This Week in Words: December 30, 2017 - January 5, 2018
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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.
Disparaging a friend’s ex might paradoxically cause your friend to feel defensive of them, making it harder for them to let go.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2024
Disparaging Natasha Romanoff is not my intent, by the way.
From Salon • Jul. 10, 2021
In April, a Navajo Nation Council committee voted 9-2 in support of a bill called "Opposing the Use of Disparaging References to Native People in Professional Sports Franchises."
From Reuters • Oct. 13, 2014
Disparaging references to Sir Alex Ferguson even though he wasn't involved, from which there will almost certainly be future fall-out, prompting no end of further amusement down the line?
From The Guardian • Sep. 26, 2012
So that this Remark is so far from Disparaging the Proceedings, that a greater Right can hardly be done to Publick Justice by a Pamphlet.
From Citt and Bumpkin (1680) by L'Estrange, Sir Roger
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.
