pejorative

[pi-jawr-uh-tiv, -jor-]

adjective

1. having a disparaging, derogatory, or belittling meaning or effect.

   The -ling in princeling is a pejorative suffix.

   Synonyms: deprecatory

noun

1. a form or word that is disparaging, derogatory, or belittling, such as bean counter for an accountant, or the -nik in peacenik.

pejorative

/ pɪˈdʒɒrətɪv, ˈpiːdʒər- /

adjective

1. (of words, expressions, etc) having an unpleasant or disparaging connotation

noun

1. a pejorative word, expression, etc

Other Word Forms

• pejoratively adverb
• nonpejorative adjective
• nonpejoratively adverb
• unpejorative adjective
• unpejoratively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of pejorative¹

First recorded in 1880–85; from Latin pējōrāt(us) “made worse” ( pejoration ) + -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of pejorative¹

C19: from French péjoratif, from Late Latin pējōrātus, past participle of pējōrāre to make worse, from Latin pēior worse

Example Sentences

The term carries an intensely pejorative connotation in the group and speaks to the imbalance of power between the singer and his fawning entourage.

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In Sarah Fritsche's blog the Cheese Professor, she explained the word "Welsh" was used as an insult in 1700s Britain, similar to how "welch" functioned as a pejorative.

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The lawsuit also names Robinson's wife, Frances Robinson, claiming she contributed to a hostile work environment, and used "ethnically pejorative words and language".

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He said the inquiry had followed a "wholly naive" line of questioning by ignoring the reality of the situation at the time, while making "terribly pejorative" statements that were "totally inappropriate".

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“That is a pejorative … that’s applied to me mainly to keep me from asking difficult questions of powerful interests,” said Kennedy, 71, the son of former Atty.

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