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 Word Forms

• disparagingly adverb
• nondisparaging adjective
• self-disparaging adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of disparaging¹

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

Example Sentences

“And even though we occasionally use disparaging terms like ‘chicken coop’ to describe them, once you actually step inside one of those apartments, they don’t feel like that at all,” Jung said.

From Los Angeles Times

Villano, the former park ranger, said it’s disparaging to believe that Americans can’t handle all aspects of history and deny them the opportunity to learn.

From Los Angeles Times

By the end of 1982, a new term had entered the local lexicon: “freeway troll,” a disparaging reference to the homeless men and women who live in “concrete caves” formed by freeway overpasses.

From Los Angeles Times

She did not appear to be using it with disparaging intent — but the word is still racist on its face.

From Los Angeles Times

Musk has spent the last several days disparaging the president on social media.

From Salon

Related Words

• defamatory 
• derogatory 
• snide 
• unfavorable