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
- disparagingly adverb
- nondisparaging adjective
- self-disparaging adjective
Etymology
Origin of disparaging
First recorded in 1635–45; disparag(e) + -ing 2
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.
The girls muttered a few more disparaging comments as they scuttled to get in order.
From Literature
![]()
She denied the disparaging accusations and in the 2013 interview said detractors believed she was a "soft target".
From BBC
Sportsmanship and maturity seem less important than disparaging Canadians.
From Los Angeles Times
Newspaper editors supportive of the spirits ran stories disparaging Chauncey and his brother as “itinerant, catch-penny lecturers,” “dunces” and “accomplished mountebanks.”
From Literature
![]()
After the Qatar World Cup, Infantino made many more headlines - from hosting plans and new tournaments to disparaging remarks about the behaviour of England fans.
From BBC
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.