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

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

Related Words

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