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derogatory

[ dih-rog-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]
/ dɪˈrɒg əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /
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adjective

tending to lessen the merit or reputation of a person or thing; disparaging; depreciatory: a derogatory remark.

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RELATED WORDS

unflattering, sarcastic, disparaging, degrading, slanderous, defamatory, demeaning, censorious, critical, damaging, disdainful, fault-finding, humiliating, injurious, malevolent, malicious, opprobrious, scornful, slighting, spiteful

Nearby words

  1. dernier cri,
  2. dero,
  3. derogate,
  4. derogation,
  5. derogative,
  6. deromanticize,
  7. derp,
  8. derrick,
  9. derrida,
  10. derrida, jacques

Origin of derogatory

1495–1505; < Late Latin dērogātōrius cursing, equivalent to dērogā(re) (see derogate) + -tōrius -tory1
SYNONYMS FOR derogatory
belittling, uncomplimentary, denigrating.
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR derogatory ON THESAURUS.COM
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for derogatory

British Dictionary definitions for derogatory

derogatory

/ (dɪˈrɒɡətərɪ, -trɪ) /

adjective

tending or intended to detract, disparage, or belittle; intentionally offensive
Derived Formsderogatorily, adverbderogatoriness, noun
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
Word Origin and History for derogatory

derogatory

adj.

c.1500, from Late Latin derogatorius, from Latin derogatus, past participle of derogare "to take away, detract from, diminish," also "repeal partly, restrict, modify," from de- "away" (see de-) + rogare "ask, question, propose" (see rogation).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper