deprecatory

adjective

ˈde-pri-kə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce deprecatory (audio)
Definition of deprecatorynext
as in slighting
intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value he typically followed up any mention of his accomplishments with some deprecatory comments about his perceived failures

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of deprecatory This subsided with unusual speed, however, as cricket fans took instead to sharing the self-deprecatory jokes coming over the border. — The Economist, 22 June 2019 Philipps has acquired her 1-million-and-growing Instagram followers through her self-deprecatory humor, raw honesty and vulnerability. — Sonja Haller, USA TODAY, 11 July 2018 What the show is really selling is the Chang attitude and mystique, a combination of ego, exactitude, foul-mouthed rebelliousness and self-deprecatory nerdiness. — Mike Hale, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deprecatory
  1. insulting
  2. derogatory
  3. pejorative
  4. malicious
  5. uncomplimentary
  6. scornful
  7. contemptuous
  8. disdainful
Adjective
  • The target of the anger and scorn in all the insulting posters, slogans, and graffiti of the protest zone was not the education minister but Modi himself.
    — Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The big reveal that Rey was really the still-not-dead Emperor’s grand-daughter was incoherent and kind of insulting.
    — Adam Frank, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of insulting
Adjective
  • One man waved a sign with a derogatory message toward those in support of Cunningham.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Trump routinely mocks Newsom and refers to the governor using a derogatory nickname, while Newsom taunts the president with frequent social media posts.
    — Darlene Superville, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of derogatory
Adjective
  • With that in mind, is ring chasing, used as a pejorative, dead after this?
    — Dan Woike, New York Times, 31 July 2026
  • But that pejorative term isn’t reserved only for those in pop or rock music.
    — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 8 July 2026
Definition of pejorative
Adjective
  • The company wants advanced cybersecurity models to strengthen digital defenses by helping security teams identify and fix vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Their job is to hack devices and patch exploits before malicious actors do.
    — Justyn Newman, PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of malicious
Adjective
  • Neither party admitted to liability and each agreed to refrain from making disparaging, negative or uncomplimentary statements about the other, the document said.
    — Lorraine Mirabella, Baltimore Sun, 29 July 2022
  • Though the pollen gunk will pass, he's concerned by a contingent of Twitter trolls who've shared uncomplimentary reviews of his recent North American tour.
    — Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE.com, 21 Jan. 2022
Definition of uncomplimentary
Adjective
  • Tribunals have been appointed, and Coriolanus’ scornful elitism strikes them as too heavy a price for his military protection.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Atletico did not believe this was a serious attempt to sign the player, and reacted with more angry and scornful social media posts.
    — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 23 June 2026
Definition of scornful
Adjective
  • The Larson campaign became openly contemptuous of Bronin at the May convention.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026
  • The man didn’t catch Serena’s contemptuous expression, however, too busy peeling bills from a money clip and pressing them into his date’s hand.
    — Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
Definition of contemptuous
Adjective
  • It was delivered with sneers, an ugly, small-minded few minutes in support of the sclerotic, disdainful of dynamic change.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026
  • Trump, disdainful of international law and untroubled about the fate of the Palestinians, became the only President in fifty years not to support Palestinian self-rule.
    — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Definition of disdainful

Browse Nearby Words

deprecations
deprecatory
depreciate
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Cite this Entry

“Deprecatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deprecatory. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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