derogative

[ dih-rog-uh-tiv ]

adjective

1. lessening; belittling; derogatory.

Other Words From

• de·roga·tive·ly adverb
• nonde·roga·tive adjective
• nonde·roga·tive·ly adverb
• unde·roga·tive adjective
• unde·roga·tive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of derogative¹

1470–80; < Old French derogatif < Late Latin dērogātīvus. See derogate, -ive

Example Sentences

Journalist and self-described word nerd, Fuhrmann saw in the simple construction an unnecessary and derogative diminution of American identities and understood that no battle was too small in the fight for clarity, precision and fairness.

From Los Angeles Times

Republicans have hammered the Biden administration for releasing so many migrants into the country to await deportation proceedings, a practice referred to derogatively as “catch and release.”

From New York Times

Adding seats to the Supreme Court - "court packing," as it is derogatively called - was just such an instance.

From BBC

The man also shouted “Down with Macronie,” a term sometimes used derogatively to refer to Mr. Macron’s administration.

From New York Times

But how bad is the situation in the “real America”, ie that vast space between the coasts that is sometimes, derogatively, referred to as “the flyover states”?

From The Guardian