DISPARAGE Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'disparage' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of disparage are belittle , decry , and depreciate . While all these words mean "to express a low opinion of," disparage implies depreciation by indirect means such as slighting or invidious comparison. // disparaged polo as a game for the rich

Q: When might 'belittle' be a better fit than 'disparage'?

The meanings of belittle and disparage largely overlap; however, belittle usually suggests a contemptuous or envious attitude. // belittled the achievements of others

Q: When is 'decry' a more appropriate choice than 'disparage'?

The synonyms decry and disparage are sometimes interchangeable, but decry implies open condemnation with intent to discredit. // decried their defeatist attitude

Q: When is it sensible to use 'depreciate' instead of 'disparage'?

While the synonyms depreciate and disparage are close in meaning, depreciate implies a representing as being of less value than commonly believed. // critics depreciate his plays for being unabashedly sentimental

disparage

verb

di-ˈsper-ij

Definition of disparage

as in to dismiss

to express scornfully one's low opinion of disparaged polo as a sport for the idle rich

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How does the verb disparage contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of disparage are belittle, decry, and depreciate. While all these words mean "to express a low opinion of," disparage implies depreciation by indirect means such as slighting or invidious comparison.

disparaged polo as a game for the rich

When might belittle be a better fit than disparage?

The meanings of belittle and disparage largely overlap; however, belittle usually suggests a contemptuous or envious attitude.

belittled the achievements of others

When is decry a more appropriate choice than disparage?

The synonyms decry and disparage are sometimes interchangeable, but decry implies open condemnation with intent to discredit.

decried their defeatist attitude

When is it sensible to use depreciate instead of disparage?

While the synonyms depreciate and disparage are close in meaning, depreciate implies a representing as being of less value than commonly believed.

critics depreciate his plays for being unabashedly sentimental

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 disparage Webb, however, denies the allegation and takes pleasure in disparaging River and the slow horses. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Aug. 2026 Kelly Osbourne isn’t holding back after Dee Snider disparaged her dad, the late Ozzy Osbourne, in a recent social media rant. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 14 Aug. 2026 Other negative ads suggested El-Sayed had made disparaging comments about Michelle Obama. — Michael Traugott, The Conversation, 12 Aug. 2026 But if a broadcaster publicly questions or disparages the viability of candidates, especially the front-runner, as Kevin Collins did on social media during BC’s search process, employers keep those receipts and consequences should be no surprise. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disparage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disparage

Verb

Third, Whyte and others dismiss our conclusion because many of the studies examining AI in medicine are simulations.

— Abe Baker-Butler, STAT, 9 Sep. 2026
If the case is not settled, dismissed or dropped before the trial date, it would be heard during the 2028 presidential primary elections.

— Violet Jira, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of dismiss

Verb

That dynamic undoubtedly minimizes the adjustment associated with staff upheaval.

— Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Mazama Energy’s demonstrated superhot rock platform optimizes well construction, drilling, and stimulation to boost power capacity while minimizing water use, land footprint, and well counts.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of minimize

Verb

Foreign central banks and other institutions looking for a safe place to park their capital have diminished roles in the Treasury market and have increasingly turned to alternative havens like gold.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026
These stabs at earnestness do nothing to diminish the feeling of the concert film being little more than a cash grab.

— Elena Lazic, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of diminish

Verb

One route might be a deal with the left-wing populist BSW party, which on Monday criticized the firewall and which shares some of the AfD’s criticism of Germany’s policies on immigration and Ukraine.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
The team was criticized in Iran and branded as traitors in the media there for remaining silent when the Iranian national anthem was played ahead of their opening loss against South Korea on March 2.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of criticize

Verb

Newsom’s film speaks directly to harm inflicted on young women who are routinely denigrated on social media and who face constant scrutiny of their appearance and comportment through online platforms.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026
Some of the reason for this is rooted in a foreign influence campaign designed to denigrate America’s artificial intelligence dominance so that China, in particular, can dominate the technology and jobs of the future.

— Letters to the Editor, Washington Post, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of denigrate

Verb

The elastic insult is meant to belittle the target as inauthentic, attention-hungry, unserious, and unmanly.

— Erik Forrest Jackson, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2026
Even the teammate who bestowed a belittling nickname upon him can’t wrap his head around Messick’s first year in the majors.

— Zack Meisel, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of belittle

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disowns

disparage

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“Disparage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disparage. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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