disparaging

[ dih-spar-i-jing ]

adjective

1. that disparages; tending to belittle or bring reproach upon:

   a disparaging remark.

Sensitive Note

In this dictionary, the label Disparaging indicates that a term or definition is used with a deliberate intent to disparage, as to belittle a particular ethnic, religious, or social group. It is often paired with the label Offensive, which describes a term that gives offense whether or not any offense was intended.

Other Words From

• dis·par·ag·ing·ly adverb
• non·dis·par·ag·ing adjective
• self-dis·par·ag·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of disparaging¹

First recorded in 1635–45; disparag(e) + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Sydney Sweeney’s rep called out Carol Baum for ‘unjustly’ disparaging a fellow female producer after Baum said that Sweeney’s film ‘Anyone But You’ was ‘unwatchable.’

From Los Angeles Times

Coote is suspended from his role pending an investigation into a video which emerged earlier this week, in which the 42-year-old appeared to make disparaging remarks about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

From BBC

The disparaging comment helped trigger Dickerson’s trade to the Indianapolis Colts.

From Los Angeles Times

I was raised by a sweet henpecked father, who would have said something disparaging about himself to get me to help him with his computer or read tiny print.

From Los Angeles Times

And he pointed out that several of the Republican candidate's key allies have also made disparaging comments about Trump in the past.

From BBC

Related Words

• defamatory
• derogatory
• snide
• unfavorable