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

I am not saying this in a derogatory way about Owen Farrell, but Ford and George have a very different leadership style to someone like Farrell.

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He was recorded by the BBC using derogatory and violent language about suspects who belong to ethnic and religious minorities while serving as a constable in the Central West Command Unit.

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On the video, the woman then uses a derogatory term to question Fosado’s masculinity, remarking, “real men drink beer.”

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It heard that Norris had been involved in clashes with Muslim prisoners, including claims that he had thrown excrement and used derogatory terms, which he denied.

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"The things I'd hear were hurtful and derogatory towards my community," he says.

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Related Words

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