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.

   Synonyms: uncomplimentary

derogatory

/ -trɪ; dɪˈrɒɡətərɪ /

adjective

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

Derived Forms

• deˈrogatorily, adverb
• deˈrogatoriness, noun

Other Words From

• de·roga·tori·ly adverb
• de·roga·tori·ness noun
• nonde·roga·tori·ly adverb
• nonde·roga·tori·ly·ness noun
• nonde·roga·tory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of derogatory¹

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

Example Sentences

Webb, who is chief of refereeing body PGMOL, was speaking publicly for the first time since Coote was suspended with immediate effect after he appeared to make derogatory comments about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp in a video that circulated online.

From BBC

A video allegedly showing Coote making derogatory comments about Liverpool and German boss Klopp was circulated on social media.

From BBC

Premier League referee David Coote has been suspended after a video allegedly showing him making derogatory comments about Liverpool and the club's former manager Jurgen Klopp was circulated on social media.

From BBC

He was frequently mocked and called derogatory names because he was born in Dubai and his father was from the United Arab Emirates.

From BBC

When Slate reached out about this, Germanotta responded with a statement through a representative: “I have not nor will ever endorse any national legislation that inhibits anyone’s rights for personal or artistic expression. Assigning any derogatory labels that discriminate against personal identity is wrong and we do not tolerate it at Joanne’s.”

From Slate

Related Words

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