disparage

verb

dis·​par·​age di-ˈsper-ij 

-ˈspa-rij

disparaged; disparaging; disparages

transitive verb

1

: to speak slightingly about (someone or something) : to belittle the importance or value of (someone or something)

disparage a political opponent

comments that disparage others

… disparaged the novels as "propaganda" …

—Roxy Simons

2

: to lower (someone or something) in rank or reputation : degrade

… but let every man … not think himself disparaged, if another of his neighbours have better than he.

—Richard Allestree

Mr Miles said changing the hospital's name was not designed to disparage the name or recognition of Lady Cilento.

—Lucy Stone

disparagement

di-ˈsper-ij-mənt 

-ˈspa-rij-

noun

disparager noun

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 (meaning "equality" or "lineage"), which itself comes from per, meaning "peer." The original "marriage" sense of disparage is now obsolete, but a closely-related sense (meaning "to lower in rank or reputation") survives in modern English. By the 16th century, English speakers (including William Shakespeare) were also using disparage to mean simply "to belittle."

Synonyms of disparage

• dismiss
• minimize
• diminish
• criticize
• denigrate
• belittle

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

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

The documents, sent anonymously, show officers sending and forwarding inappropriate and offensive content, including nude images and disparaging jokes and comments about women, Muslims and Black people, between 2010 and 2012. —Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026

Councilmember Vickie Paladino filed a lawsuit against the City Council Monday in an effort to stop a disciplinary process against her for a series of posts disparaging Muslims. —Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026

The censure resolution also stated her social media posts divulged and misrepresented confidential closed session information and disparaged the superintendent and board members. —Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026

Students and staff also called for his resignation in 2005 following his disparaging comments about women in science. —Yana Van Der Meulen Rodgers, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English disparagen "to degrade by marriage below one's class, defile (a woman)," borrowed from Anglo-French desparager (continental Old French desparagier), from des- dis- + parage "equality of rank, lineage, high birth," from per "equal, match, member of the hereditary nobility" + -age -age — more at peer entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for disparage

• miscarriage
• remarriage
• intermarriage
• marriage

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Kids Definition

disparage

verb

dis·​par·​age dis-ˈpar-ij 

disparaged; disparaging

1

: to lower in rank : degrade

2

: to speak of as unimportant or not much good : belittle

disparaged the performance

disparagement

-mənt 

noun

disparaging adjective

disparagingly

-ij-iŋ-lē 

adverb