derogatory

adjective de·rog·a·to·ry \ di-ˈrä-gə-ˌtȯr-ē \

|Updated on: 21 Aug 2018

Examples: derogatory in a Sentence

Editor's Note: What is a derogatory Credit Report?

Definition of derogatory

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

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derogatorily

play \-ˌrä-gə-ˈtȯr-ə-lē\ adverb

See derogatory defined for English-language learners

See derogatory defined for kids

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 of derogatory from the Web

There were journals containing derogatory and threatening comments about Jewish people and black people, and comments suggesting frustration with the American government and the media.

— lisa gutierrez, kansascity, "Acid-tripping neo-Nazi from Missouri disabled train to ‘save it from black people,’ feds say," 13 July 2018
The policy says derogatory or insensitive jokes and offensive images may be considered forms of harassment, according to excerpts of the policy reviewed by the Journal.

— douglas macmillan, WSJ, "Google Reins In Workplace Debate," 28 June 2018
Please keep your malicious, derogatory, discriminatory, bullying, harassing, demeaning content off @itchio.

— kyle orland, Ars Technica, "Op-ed: Valve takes a side by not “taking sides” in curation controversy," 7 June 2018
But several activist groups are objecting to his past comments that have seemed derogatory toward Muslims and gay people.

— chris megerian, latimes.com, "Trump's pick for secretary of State readies for confirmation hearing Thursday," 10 Apr. 2018
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday defended his son over drunken remarks made between visits to strip clubs and taped illicitly that drew criticism for being derogatory of women.

— author: maayan lubell, Anchorage Daily News, "In strip club rant, Netanyahu’s son brags about prostitutes and a $20 billion deal for friend’s dad," 11 Jan. 2018
Strzok appeared to refer to derogatory statements Trump made about the family of U.S. Army Capt.

— andrew o'reilly, Fox News, "Gowdy slams Strzok: 'I don't give a damn what you appreciate'," 13 July 2018
Isaacs, the vice president of the evangelical Christian non-profit Samaritan’s Purse, had faced criticism for derogatory statements about Islam that were discovered on his Twitter page.

— abigail simon, Time, "The United Nations Rejected President Trump's Pick for a Migration Group," 29 June 2018
Due to repeated racial slurs and a derogatory statement made toward the woman, Santa Monica College officials classified the incident as a hate crime, Adams said.

— melissa etehad, latimes.com, "Fight over Santa Monica parking spot turns into what campus police call a hate crime," 3 May 2018

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

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.