denigrative

adjective

Definition of denigrativenext
as in insulting
intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value thanked her for the gift and then added the denigrative aside, "Not that it's anything special!"

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for denigrative
  1. insulting
  2. malicious
  3. critical
  4. degrading
  5. abusive
  6. demeaning
  7. contemptuous
  8. derogatory
Adjective
  • But to propose trading him for anything short of a fourth-round pick is insulting.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Afterward, Lisa brags about her pickpocketing skills and says theft is easier and less insulting to the mark.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of insulting
Adjective
  • The malicious system component silently installs apps that look like weather tools, app lockers and other everyday utilities.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Federal Bureau of Investigation also warned that malicious actors could exploit the vulnerabilities to execute code remotely, putting sensitive data and networks at risk.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of malicious
Adjective
  • This is becoming increasingly critical as water scarcity puts growing pressure on communities and infrastructure, including in traditionally water-secure regions.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The company says the system is critical to successful missile operations during flight.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of critical
Adjective
  • At Fuerte Guaicaipuro, a military facility, investigators documented detainees being confined in pit-like cells dug below ground level and subjected to cold, food deprivation and other degrading treatment.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The beating can look degrading, but the check might protect opportunities for hundreds of athletes who never appear in the game.
    — Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of degrading
Adjective
  • Advocates Against Family Violence in Canyon County is available at 208-459-4779 for anyone in need of help or shelter in an abusive relationship.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Animal rights activists have argued in favor of banning the industry for more than two decades, calling the work dangerous and inherently abusive to the equines.
    — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of abusive
Adjective
  • The first big studio feature with an all-Asian cast was praised for depicting Chinese characters and Chinese food in a non-demeaning way.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • No child should experience therapy that is coercive, demeaning or traumatic.
    — Robin Koncilja, Denver Post, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of demeaning
Adjective
  • Yet the two plots remain separate and contemptuous of each other, with no denouement in sight.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Below the surface, there is a lot of contemptuous finger-pointing about where the anti-AI energy now coursing through the political-media landscape is coming from.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of contemptuous
Adjective
  • Apalachee High School's interim head football coach has resigned as the school investigated reports of racially derogatory language, according to an email sent to families.
    — CBS News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • His opening monologue sparked immediate backlash for including derogatory comments about women’s gym attire, something stars such as Maren Morris and Flavor Flav blasted online in the days that followed.
    — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of derogatory
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

denigrations
denigrative
denigrator
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Denigrative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/denigrative. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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