pejorative

[ pi-jawr-uh-tiv, -jor- ]

adjective

1. having a disparaging, derogatory, or belittling meaning or effect:

   The -ling in princeling is a pejorative suffix.

   Synonyms: deprecatory

noun

1. a form or word that is disparaging, derogatory, or belittling, such as bean counter for an accountant, or the -nik in peacenik.

pejorative

/ pɪˈdʒɒrətɪv; ˈpiːdʒər- /

adjective

1. (of words, expressions, etc) having an unpleasant or disparaging connotation

noun

1. a pejorative word, expression, etc

Derived Forms

• peˈjoratively, adverb

Other Word Forms

• pe·jo·ra·tive·ly adverb
• non·pe·jo·ra·tive adjective
• non·pe·jo·ra·tive·ly adverb
• un·pe·jo·ra·tive adjective
• un·pe·jo·ra·tive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of pejorative¹

First recorded in 1880–85; from Latin pējōrāt(us) “made worse” ( pejoration ) + -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of pejorative¹

C19: from French péjoratif, from Late Latin pējōrātus, past participle of pējōrāre to make worse, from Latin pēior worse

Example Sentences

He said the inquiry had followed a "wholly naive" line of questioning by ignoring the reality of the situation at the time, while making "terribly pejorative" statements that were "totally inappropriate".

From BBC

“That is a pejorative … that’s applied to me mainly to keep me from asking difficult questions of powerful interests,” said Kennedy, 71, the son of former Atty.

From Los Angeles Times

In the 1980s, the term “McJob” entered the pop culture lexicon as a pejorative.

From Los Angeles Times

After leaving the presidency, Trump has used "Palestinian" as a pejorative for weak victim and called on Israel to "finish the job" in Gaza.

From Salon

Some may try to use “coconut” in its racist form, or try to turn “Brat” into a pejorative, but it’s too late.

From Los Angeles Times