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disparage

verb
dis·​par·​age | \ di-ˈsper-ij How to pronounce disparage (audio) , -ˈspa-rij\
disparaged; disparaging

Definition of disparage

transitive verb

1 : to depreciate (see depreciate sense 1) by indirect means (such as invidious comparison) : speak slightingly about religious beliefs disparaged as superstition
2 : to lower in rank or reputation : degrade
Other Words from disparage Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about disparage

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Other Words from disparage

disparagement \ di-​ˈsper-​ij-​mənt How to pronounce disparagement (audio) , -​ˈspa-​rij-​ \ noun
disparager noun

Choose the Right Synonym for disparage

decry, depreciate, disparage, belittle mean to express a low opinion of. decry implies open condemnation with intent to discredit. decried their defeatist attitude depreciate implies a representing as being of less value than commonly believed. critics depreciate his plays for being unabashedly sentimental disparage implies depreciation by indirect means such as slighting or invidious comparison. disparaged polo as a game for the rich belittle usually suggests a contemptuous or envious attitude. belittled the achievements of others

Did You Know?

In Middle English, to disparage someone meant causing that person to marry someone of inferior rank. Disparage derives from the Anglo-French word desparager, meaning "to marry below one's class." Desparager, in turn, combines the negative prefix des- with parage ("equality" or "lineage"), which itself comes from per, meaning "peer." The original "marriage" sense of disparage is now obsolete, but a closely-related sense ("to lower in rank or reputation") survives in modern English. By the 16th century, English speakers (including Shakespeare) were also using disparage to mean simply "to belittle."

Examples of disparage in a Sentence

Voters don't like political advertisements in which opponents disparage one another. It's a mistake to disparage their achievements. The article disparaged polo as a game for the wealthy.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Also, don’t openly disparage management or talk about bosses behind their backs, and don’t do anything to undermine their authority. — Chris Woolston, Quartz at Work, "How to deal with an abusive boss," 29 Aug. 2019 To breeders and growers who had often heard Phylos employees publicly disparage Monsanto, affiliation with Syngenta and Dow/DuPont sounded like a deal with the devil. — Hannah Wallace, WIRED, "High Drama: A Cannabis Biotech Company Roils Small Growers," 24 July 2019 The government had argued that Stone violated the judge's gag order with Instagram posts that disparaged the Mueller investigation and the broader election interference probe. — NBC News, "Roger Stone avoids arrest for gag order violation, but has social media blackout imposed," 16 July 2019 Blackhorse and four other Native American plaintiffs wanted the trademarks of the team canceled under a provision in the Lanham Act which prohibits registration of marks that may disparage persons or bring them into contempt or disrepute. — azcentral, "Another Supreme Court ruling backs Washington NFL team keeping their brand," 26 June 2019 Buying presents is about demonstrating your bond with someone, and humor that disparages a third party is one way of signaling common ground with another person. — Eliza Brooke, Vox, "We buy each other gifts with misanthropic slogans to forge a common bond," 9 Nov. 2018 In the course of its 18-month investigation, Inspector General Michael Horowitz’s staff also unearthed thousands of controversial text messages exchanged between Federal Bureau of Investigation personnel that disparaged Mr. Trump. — Sadie Gurman, WSJ, "DOJ Clinton Report Blasts Comey, Agents, but Finds No Bias in Conclusion," 15 June 2018 The terms of the deal reportedly forbid Leath from disparaging the school or divulging confidential information. — Sam Blum | [email protected], al.com, "Former Auburn President Steven Leath to reportedly make $4.5 million in separation agreement," 13 July 2019 The band was attempting to reclaim a derogatory term for Asian people, but the trademark office rejected the trademark for disparaging Asians. — Timothy B. Lee, Ars Technica, "SCOTUS: Ban on “FUCT” trademark registration violates First Amendment," 24 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disparage.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of disparage

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for disparage

Middle English, to degrade by marriage below one's class, disparage, from Anglo-French desparager to marry below one's class, from des- dis- + parage equality, lineage, from per peer

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More Definitions for disparage

disparage

verb
How to pronounce disparage (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of disparage

formal : to describe (someone or something) as unimportant, weak, bad, etc.

See the full definition for disparage in the English Language Learners Dictionary

disparage

verb
dis·​par·​age | \ di-ˈsper-ij How to pronounce disparage (audio)

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