derogatory
adjective
Herman Melville
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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.
Examples of derogatory in a Sentence
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
Kristin M. Hall, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
In the video, one person could be heard calling out derogatory names, and another person told Moreno to get a gun before three shots rang out.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 11 May 2026
Moments later, Reaves approached Goble about the interaction, putting his finger in Goble’s face and later calling him a derogatory term.
—Devon Henderson, New York Times, 9 May 2026
The California Racial Mascots Act, passed in the State Assembly by a 62-0 vote and signed in 2024, requires that public schools K-12 remove Native American team names, nicknames and mascots that could be viewed as derogatory.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for derogatory
Cite this Entry
“Derogatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derogatory. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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derogatory
adjective
