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
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.
She once received a refund after a flight attendant made a disparaging remark about how she was dressed.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026
A "Japan glazer" is "someone who puts everything that comes from Japan on a pedestal, while disparaging things that come from their own country", Louzembi said.
From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026
A spokesperson for Flynn responded to detailed questions from ProPublica by disparaging experts who expressed concerns, texting, “LOL ‘EXPERTS.’”
From Salon • Mar. 3, 2026
Gwynne was sacked as a health minister and suspended from Labour last year after the Mail on Sunday published some of his private messages, including one disparaging an elderly constituent.
From BBC • Jan. 22, 2026
On an ordinary day, Mrs. Richardson would have opened the door, told Izzy to turn the volume down, made some disparaging comments about how depressing and angry Izzy’s music always seemed to be.
From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng
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.
