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derogatory

[dih-rog-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]
adjective
  1. tending to lessen the merit or reputation of a person or thing; disparaging; depreciatory: a derogatory remark.
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Origin of derogatory

1495–1505; < Late Latin dērogātōrius cursing, equivalent to dērogā(re) (see derogate) + -tōrius -tory1
Related formsde·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, nounnon·de·rog·a·to·ry, adjective

Synonyms for derogatory

belittling, uncomplimentary, denigrating.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for non-derogatory

derogatory

adjective
  1. tending or intended to detract, disparage, or belittle; intentionally offensive
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Derived Formsderogatorily, 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

Word Origin and History for non-derogatory

derogatory

adj.

c.1500, from Late Latin derogatorius, from Latin derogatus, past participle of derogare "to take away, detract from, diminish," also "repeal partly, restrict, modify," from de- "away" (see de-) + rogare "ask, question, propose" (see rogation).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper