disparaging
Americanadjective
Sensitivity
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
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.
He added a Canadian flag emoji and the caption "this is real" - an apparent attempt at disparaging Canada's military by making fun of the pair's appearance.
From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026
An arbitrator issued an interim award barring Wynn-Williams, her lawyers and others from disparaging Meta or promoting the book.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026
And with technology growing as rapidly as it is, it behooves the company’s bottom line to avoid damning and disparaging devices outright.
From Salon ● Jun. 21, 2026
Rushing said Wednesday he said nothing disparaging toward Lee.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 22, 2026
Her eminent companions on the 1994 attempt said nothing disparaging about Pittman, at least not in public.
From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
