DEROGATIVE Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

derogative

adjective

Definition of derogative

as in insulting

intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value used a common derogative word for lawyers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for derogative

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

His campaign faced significant backlash in September after social media posts containing slurs against people with disabilities, derogatory language about LGBTQ+ people and language appearing to allude to a racial slur surfaced online.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2026
Colorado State issued an apology in September after fans targeted BYU and the Mormon church with derogatory chants.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of derogatory

Adjective

It was labeled a foreign agent, a designation that carries strong pejorative connotations and implies additional government scrutiny.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
The point is, the term is meant to be pejorative, used to describe — and let’s face it, judge — the most exaggerated form of plastic surgery, politics aside.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of pejorative

Adjective

Even a mandate as simple as removing racist or demeaning school mascots has depended more on districts’ voluntary compliance than force.

— David Bloomfield, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026
Her demeaning behavior toward her boyfriend makes the letter writer reconsider their friendship.

— R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of demeaning

Adjective

Authorities have described the more than two dozen threats as malicious hoaxes, and no actual attacks have been carried out.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026
Iran has been linked to at least one incident in Israel earlier in the spring, though that breach involved a lot more sophistication and malicious activity.

— Jenna McLaughlin, NPR, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of malicious

Adjective

Felix points to Trump’s disparaging and false comments against Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, which put a target on the back of many Haitian immigrants.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
The irony is that Trump has been more disparaging and dismissive of the military than any other president.

— Joe Garofoli, San Francisco Chronicle, 17 Mar. 2026

Definition of disparaging

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

This subsided with unusual speed, however, as cricket fans took instead to sharing the self-deprecatory jokes coming over the border.

— The Economist, 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

Definition of deprecatory

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Browse Nearby Words

derogations

derogative

derogatory

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“Derogative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derogative. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of derogative

adjective

Example Sentences

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