disparage

verb

dis·​par·​age di-ˈsper-ij 

-ˈspa-rij

disparaged; disparaging; disparages

transitive verb

1

: to belittle the importance or value of (someone or something) : to speak slightingly about (someone or something)

disparaged his opponent

religious beliefs disparaged as superstition

… drew fire this month for disparaging the company's theme parks as "cheap day-care centers for teenagers" …

—Lisa Fickenscher

2

: to lower (someone or something) in rank or reputation : degrade

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

• 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

Any administration that loudly and proudly disparages diversity, equity and inclusion — the hallmarks of American democracy — is hardly likely to be an ally of the gays. —Louis Balsamo, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2025

Lindell's lawyers suggested Coomer bore some responsibility after writing Facebook posts that disparaged Trump. —Chloe Mayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025

The company’s position is that these clauses protect people at all levels and are sometimes requested by departing employees who do not wish to be disparaged by former colleagues. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 12 June 2025

While speaking with Variety on the 2025 Tony Awards red carpet, former Hamilton star Goldsberry discussed Broadway veteran Patti LuPone’s recent comments disparaging fellow Broadway actresses Audra McDonald and Kecia Lewis. —Sharareh Drury, People.com, 8 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, to degrade by marriage below one's class, disparage, from Anglo-French desparager to marry below one's class, from des- dis- + parage equality, lineage, from per peer

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