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

… contained reflections somewhat derogatory to the dignity of the officers …

—Herman Melville

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 of derogatory

• insulting
• slighting
• pejorative
• demeaning
• malicious
• disparaging
• uncomplimentary
• degrading
• deprecatory
• abusive
• derogative
• contemptuous
• depreciatory
• scornful

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

Court documents show Shadbar, who is white, yelled several derogatory racist and sexist slurs at his neighbors and had regularly harassed the family, including firing blank rounds toward Robertson’s home and throwing an M-80 type of firework over the fence into her yard. —Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026

Oklahoma State’s win over BYU was overshadowed by allegations of derogatory fan chants. —Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026

The derogatory three-word chant has been a recurring issue at BYU road games. —Justin Williams, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026

The term is not viewed as derogatory as other antisemitic slurs and was routinely used in past decades, a spokesperson for the Becerra campaign noted after the event. —Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see derogate

First Known Use

circa 1503, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for derogatory

• accusatory
• admonitory
• ambulatory
• amendatory
• celebratory
• circulatory
• combinatory
• commendatory
• compensatory
• condemnatory
• confirmatory
• confiscatory

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