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 According to Grisham’s complaint, their agreement prohibited either party from making disparaging statements. — Diana Paulsen, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026 The Cockroach movement – named in the wake of a disparaging comment India’s chief justice made about unemployed youth – is now taking a breather, preparing, its leaders say, to throw its weight behind other issues affecting young Indians. — Aakash Hassan, Christian Science Monitor, 30 July 2026 And at a White House cage fight, a former first lady was brazenly disparaged. — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026 The judge also reiterated an earlier order for neither Mortensen nor Taylor to make disparaging remarks about the other on social media. — Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for disparage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disparage

Verb

Last year, he was separately charged with making false statements to Congress, though the indictment was dismissed.

— Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Lauder also reportedly dismissed the longtime advisors and ad makers who ran his political operation, the Times report shows.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of dismiss

Verb

Nailing her intricate double front pass, Blakely performed three front-tumbling passes to minimize wear on her ankles.

— Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Heavy-duty trucking focus The company expects the new service to help fleets lower diesel consumption, reduce operating costs, and minimize driver downtime through on-site fueling.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of minimize

Verb

One thing that might be over — or at least greatly diminished — will be submissions for the supporting acting categories for limited series/movie next year if the academy makes this revision permanent.

— Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
Errors damaged trust and diminished influence whether or not the robot was expressive.

— Yigit Topoglu, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of diminish

Verb

McKenzie hasn’t shied away from criticizing celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Matt Damon who have made money hawking cryptocurrency companies in ads.

— Brent Lang, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
The powerful Florida Sheriff’s Association is the latest group to criticize the November ballot measure to roll back property taxes, joining what has been a drumbeat of opposition from law enforcement and first responder organizations.

— Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of criticize

Verb

These are useful qualities, evolutionarily, but also ones that encourage us to take the extraordinary and very quickly denigrate it as mundane.

— Adrienne LaFrance, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2026
Paul has backed the theory that the coronavirus emerged from a lab, and has accused Fauci and other top officials of publicly downplaying and denigrating that theory, especially in the early days of the pandemic.

— Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 29 July 2026

Definition of denigrate

Verb

Lestat is treated as unworthy of Akasha’s (Sheila Atim) blood and his choice to turn Louis is belittled by the table because Louis was a pimp.

— Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
The women on that team didn’t ask to be the butt of a locker room joke, belittled by the President of the United States, no less.

— Candace Buckner, New York Times, 16 July 2026

Definition of belittle

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disowns

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“Disparage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disparage. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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