derogate

American  

[der-uh-geyt, der-uh-git, -geyt] / ˈdɛr əˌgeɪt, ˈdɛr ə gɪt, -ˌgeɪt /

verb (used without object)

derogated, derogating

1. to detract, as from authority, estimation, etc. (usually followed byfrom ).

2. to stray in character or conduct; degenerate (usually followed byfrom ).

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verb (used with object)

derogated, derogating

1. to disparage or belittle.

2. Archaic. to take away (a part) so as to impair the whole.

adjective

1. Archaic. debased.

derogate British  

/ dɪˈrɒɡətɪv /

verb

1. to cause to seem inferior or be in disrepute; detract

2. to deviate in standard or quality; degenerate

3. (tr) to cause to seem inferior, etc; disparage

4. (tr) to curtail the application of (a law or regulation)

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adjective

1. archaic debased or degraded

Related Words

See decry.

Other Word Forms

• derogately adverb
• derogation noun
• derogative adjective
• derogatively adverb
• underogating adjective

Etymology

Origin of derogate

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English from Latin dērogātus “repealed, restricted” (past participle of dērogāre ), equivalent to dē- de- + rog(āre) “to ask” + -ātus -ate ¹

Explanation

When you derogate someone, you belittle them or put them down. If you tend to derogate everyone around you, it's unlikely you'll win the election for class president. It's extremely common in politics to hear a candidate derogate their opponent, or for one political party to derogate another. When they do this, they are focusing on their adversary's weaknesses and faults in an attempt to harm their reputation. This sense of weakening someone's reputation dates from the 15th century, and it stems from the Latin derogare, "take away," a root derogate shares with derogatory.

Example Sentences

One option to deal with the shortfall would be to allow Kilroot to temporarily derogate from its environmental permits though the legality and cost of that is unclear.

From BBC • Oct. 6, 2022

Producers and Lee’s estate signed a contract agreeing that “the play shall not derogate or depart in any manner from the spirit of the novel nor alter its characters,” according to The New York Times.

From Slate • Mar. 15, 2018

The contract the parties signed states that “the Play shall not derogate or depart in any manner from the spirit of the Novel nor alter its characters.”

From New York Times • Mar. 14, 2018

The steward suppressed, though with difficulty, a loud laugh, when he got sight of the little man, for he was afraid that laughter would derogate from his dignity.

From Tales from the German Comprising specimens from the most celebrated authors by Various

The reverence belonging to religion will not derogate from the dignity of science.

From The Relations of Science and Religion The Morse Lecture, 1880 by Calderwood, Henry