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

Miller and Graham ultimately signed a nondisclosure agreement in 2023 with an understanding that each would refrain from publicly disparaging the other. — Fin Daniel Gómez, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026

The case was later dropped after both sides signed a nondisclosure agreement barring them from publicly disparaging one another. — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026

The temptation to disparage the other parent, especially in front of the children, can damage your own custody standing — and in extreme cases, be characterized as parental alienation. — Melissa Needle, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026

According to Grisham’s complaint, their agreement prohibited either party from making disparaging statements. — Diana Paulsen, ABC News, 2 Aug. 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