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

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for derogative

Adjective

Some job seekers say AI interviews can feel impersonal, stilted, and downright insulting.

— Sarah Jackson Juhohn Lee, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
Even more insulting was the cold, transactional nature of the intrusion.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of insulting

Adjective

Tweets about Cunningham, thinkpieces, and rebuttals have all swirled into an endless mass of controversy — one dominated by derogatory rhetoric, threats, and anti-trans memes.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2026
Many posts written and shared by Hamam al Hamami on an X account that has since been deleted used derogatory language about women espoused by misogynistic online influencers.

— Tucker Reals, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of derogatory

Adjective

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
Calling something a white wine thriller could be interpreted as pejorative, if not sexist.

— Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of pejorative

Adjective

Moreover, the perpetrators do not appear to have used malicious code on the fridge controllers, potentially complicating efforts to track down who carried out the cyberattack, added Aimé.

— Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that install malware and potentially access your private information is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 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 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of derogative

adjective

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