derogatory

adjective

de·​rog·​a·​to·​ry di-ˈrä-gə-ˌtȯr-ē 

1

: expressive of a low opinion : disparaging

derogatory remarks

a derogatory term

2

: detracting from the character or standing of something

—often used with to, towards, or of

… abstained from saying a word derogatory to his new friend's religion …

—Anthony Trollope

derogatorily

di-ˌrä-gə-ˈtȯr-ə-lē 

adverb

Did you know?

What is a derogatory Credit Report?

When derogatory first began to be used in English it had the meaning “detracting from the character or standing of something.” It comes from the verb derogate, which can be traced to the Latin word derogare (“to detract” or “to annul (a law)”). Derogatory quickly took on the additional meaning “disdainful, disparaging,” as may be seen in the word’s frequent use in “derogatory comment.” Derogatory is increasingly seen today in credit reports, although it should not be taken as a credit card company making unkind comments on the character of the cardholder. In this context it refers to something (such as a late payment, foreclosure, or bankruptcy) that will have a negative effect on a person’s credit score.

Synonyms

• belittling
• contemptuous
• decrying
• degrading
• demeaning
• denigrative
• denigratory
• deprecatory
• depreciative
• depreciatory
• derisory
• derogative
• detractive
• disdainful
• disparaging
• pejorative
• scornful
• slighting
• uncomplimentary

Examples of derogatory in a Sentence

The aroma of wine made from Concord … grapes is often described as "foxy," a wine term as derogatory as it is vague. —Danny May et al., Berkshire Home Style, March 2007

In Powell's memoir, Lemann points out, terms like "expert" and "academic" are clearly derogatory. —Franklin Foer, New Republic, 5 Feb. 2001

Unfortunately, the codes were badly explained and ham-handedly enforced. At Michigan an interpretive guide called "What Students Should Know … " went beyond the scope of the actual code in saying that even a derogatory comment … would be punished by the university. —Laurence R. Stains, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 1993

fans made a steady stream of derogatory remarks about the players on the visiting team

Recent Examples on the Web

Kuhn also said there are guardrails that limit the use of derogatory terms or explicit language. —Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2024

Mutt is a derogatory term (and can arguably be considered a slur) meant to insult people with biracial and multiracial identities. —Giana Levy, refinery29.com, 8 Oct. 2024

This derogatory term continued to be thrown at Black women during the Jim Crow era and after. —Letters To The Editor, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Oct. 2024

People who attempt suicide aren’t selfish Some people think suicide is selfish, but this characterization is misguided and derogatory, experts said, since people who attempt or die by suicide often desire to end their pain or see themselves as burdensome. —Kristen Rogers, CNN, 4 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see derogate

First Known Use

circa 1503, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

derogatory

adjective

de·​rog·​a·​to·​ry di-ˈräg-ə-ˌtōr-ē 

-ˌtȯr-

1

: intended to lower the reputation of a person or thing

2

: expressing a low opinion

derogatory remarks

derogatorily

-ˌräg-ə-ˈtōr-ə-lē 

-ˈtȯr-

adverb