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 The Judicial Qualifications Commission enforces an extensive code of conduct that takes a dim view of judges and candidates who lie about their opponents, disparage fellow judges, or deceive voters. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026 Each worker signed a document seen by The Associated Press agreeing not to disparage Caddell and not to disclose the individual payments. — Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026 Each worker signed a document seen by the Associated Press agreeing to not disparage Caddell and to not disclose the individual payments. — Colleen Barry, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 This is to disparage neither Harper Lee’s 1960 bildungsroman nor Kingsolver’s family saga. — Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disparage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disparage

Verb

Ben-Gvir dismisses concerns that such policies would cement Israel’s status as a pariah state.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Lower courts had dismissed the case because Asian American students were not underrepresented at the magnet schools compared with the pool of students that applied.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of dismiss

Verb

The frack happening beneath us was about half as deep as Mount Everest is high, in a section of oil-rich rock that used to be considered out of reach; other innovations allow for simultaneous fracks, minimizing downtime.

— Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Eco effort As a camp that focuses on conservation, minimizing environmental impact is the cornerstone of the Wilderness Desert Rhino ethos.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of minimize

Verb

Members of Congress could be expected to resist presidential encroachments because those encroachments diminished their own power.

— Stephanie A, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
In theory, such an arrangement diminishes the cells’ ability to transport oxygen from the lungs.

— D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of diminish

Verb

Vance has neither criticized his friend nor publicly nudged Carlson to temper what’s been harsh criticism of Israel — and Trump’s cultivation of the Netanyahu government.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
At an October debate, Bass pointed out that Raman, as chair of the city council’s housing and homelessness committee, had repeatedly approved spending on Inside Safe, the very program Raman now criticizes as expensive and insufficiently accountable.

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of criticize

Verb

Eight months later during an appearance on a Cincinnati radio station, Huggins used a homophobic slur to refer to Xavier fans while also denigrating Catholics.

— CBS News, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
This is not to denigrate what pathbreaking American technology companies can accomplish on their own—their innovation is the envy of the world, and rightly so.

— DAVID S. COHEN, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of denigrate

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disparage

disparaged

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“Disparage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disparage. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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