derogatory

[ dih-rog-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

/ dɪˈrɒg əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for derogatory on Thesaurus.com

adjective

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

OTHER WORDS FOR derogatory

belittling, uncomplimentary, denigrating.

See synonyms for derogatory on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON “ITS” VS. “IT’S”!

Apostrophes can be tricky; prove you know the difference between "it’s" and "its" in this crafty quiz!

Question 1 of 8

On the farm, the feed for chicks is significantly different from the roosters’; ______ not even comparable.

it's

its

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of derogatory

1495–1505; <Late Latin dērogātōrius cursing, equivalent to dērogā(re) (see derogate) + -tōrius-tory¹

OTHER WORDS FROM derogatory

de·rog·a·to·ri·ly, adverbde·rog·a·to·ri·ness, nounnon·de·rog·a·to·ri·ly, adverbnon·de·rog·a·to·ri·ly·ness, noun

non·de·rog·a·to·ry, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use derogatory in a sentence

There was a lot of positive feedback from people interested in non-gender binary people.
Grindr’s Trans Dating Problem|David Levesley|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
She ultimately ditched JSwipe after about a week and found her current, non-Jewish, boyfriend on OkCupid.
My Week on Jewish Tinder|Emily Shire|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
An atheist counsels his fellow non-believers on how not to talk to people of faith.
The Case Against In-Your-Face Atheism|Steve Neumann|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The distinction between over-policing and non-responsiveness was alive and well in Bed-Stuy.
Ground Zero of the NYPD Slowdown|Batya Ungar-Sargon|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Last summer, Louisiana also banned non-legal adoption, with offenders facing a penalty of $5,000 and up to five years in prison.
Judge: Rehoming Kids Is Trafficking|Tina Traster|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The expatriated ex-rebels became alarmed by the non-receipt of the indemnity instalment and the news from their homes.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
He also states that the Audiencia is virtually non-existent, and so there is no high court in which justice may be sought.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
De moi, je ne say qu'en dire, d'autant que je ne veux affirmer ny le si ny le non en ce dont je n'ay vidence.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Certes le capitaine Merveilles et ses gens monstrerent leur pit non vulgaire.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
It teaches you to take your time, or as the Germans call it, it gives you "Ruhe (repose)," the grand sine qua non!
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay

British Dictionary definitions for derogatory

derogatory

/ (dɪˈrɒɡətərɪ, -trɪ) /

adjective

tending or intended to detract, disparage, or belittle; intentionally offensive

Derived forms of derogatory

derogatorily, 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

derogatory

OTHER WORDS FOR derogatory

Origin of derogatory

OTHER WORDS FROM derogatory

Words related to derogatory

How to use derogatory in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for derogatory

Derived forms of derogatory