derogatory

American  

[dih-rog-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / dɪˈrɒg əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

adjective

1. tending to lessen the merit or reputation of a person or thing; disparaging; depreciatory.

   a derogatory remark.

   Synonyms:

   uncomplimentary

---

derogatory British  

/ -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

Etymology

Origin of derogatory

First recorded in 1495–1505; from Late Latin dērogātōrius “belonging to a repeal”; equivalent to derogate + -tory ¹

Example Sentences

The league said it “condemns all forms of discrimination and derogatory behavior directed towards any group or individual.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Crisis actor is a derogatory label used by conspiracy theorists to allege that someone is deceiving the public -- feigning injuries or death -- while posing as a victim of a tragic event.

From Barron's

At the time, Hegseth immediately condemned the reporting as "fabricated, inflammatory and derogatory", while Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the "entire narrative was false".

From BBC

Hegseth has rejected the accuracy of the reporting, calling it “fabricated, inflammatory, and derogatory.”

From Salon

Hegseth immediately condemned the reporting as "fabricated, inflammatory and derogatory", while Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the "entire narrative was false".

From BBC

Related Words

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