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

Some staff at the Life Wirral independent school were recorded by an undercover reporter manhandling pupils and using derogatory and homophobic language.

From BBC

Some derogatory comments on social media during the show's debut on Sunday suggested she looked markedly different to how she looked several years ago.

From BBC

Officials have approved the removal of the derogatory term “squaw” from more than 30 geographic features and place names on California lands, according to an announcement Friday by the state Natural Resources Agency.

From Los Angeles Times

“The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation has led the effort to change demeaning mascot imagery of Native people, and we support replacing derogatory names locally and across state lands,” said Anthony Roberts, tribal chairman of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, in a statement announcing the name changes.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Related Words

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