DISPARAGEMENT Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

disparagement

noun

as in defamation

the act of making a person or a thing seem little or unimportant his predictable disparagement of the latest fashions among young people

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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 disparagement Asserting claims for tortious interference, civil conspiracy, commercial disparagement and violations of Illinois consumer fraud laws, the Butlers sought more than $50 million in compensatory damages and over $200 million in punitive damages. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 22 June 2026 These disparagements cut to the core of southern manhood. — Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026 The contract contained a non-disparagement clause, and in law, the special thing about disparagement is that unlike defamation, the truth is not a defense against disparagement. — Marlow Stern, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026 And the Times Magazine suggested the idea of discovering a similar past disparagement clause to the one that plagued HBO might dissuade any network from tackling a future Jackson project. — Steve Knopper, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2026 And though Chalamet did not make such insults himself, his comments fit into this broader context of disparagement and dismissal. — Chloe Angyal, Time, 9 Mar. 2026 As February ended, some of the things coming out of the coaches’ mouths felt more like despair than disparagement. — Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2026 But in both cases, although separated by six decades, condemnation, disparagement and misogyny soon followed. — Aniko Bodroghkozy, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2026 Aumann’s complaint alleges fraud, tortious interference and business disparagement and other alleged misdeeds. — Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 15 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disparagement

Noun

That news comes after the film’s original date was moved from April 9 amid a volcanic legal fight involving Wilson, the movie’s producers and star Charlottle MacInnes, who sued the rookie helmer for defamation.

— Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 20 July 2026
Kevin O’Leary, a businessman and Shark Tank star, is being sued for defamation after going on Fox News and accusing some opponents of his Utah AI data center plans of being backed by China.

— Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 19 July 2026

Definition of defamation

Noun

However, criticism comes with the territory for quarterbacks, and Madsen has faced his share — mostly over his size and arm strength.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 26 July 2026
The allegation was just part of a drumbeat of US criticism over the cartels’ political protection rackets.

— Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

Definition of criticism

Noun

There’s always a ready audience, especially when the pesky Jewish state of Israel loudly refuses to join the chorus of condemnation and defends itself with force.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026
Advertisement Some of Takaichi’s past remarks around work have drawn condemnation from the National Defense Counsel for Victims of Karoshi, which is led by Hiroshi Kawahito, an attorney who represented Takahashi’s family.

— Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 23 July 2026

Definition of condemnation

Noun

Note that the Packers’ operating loss does include tens of millions of dollars in non-cash charges tied to depreciation.

— Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 24 July 2026
The company said Peacock’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization was $189 million.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026

Definition of depreciation

Noun

The violence and torture that took place in detention centers were also gendered, as women suffered abuses different from those to which men were subjected.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 July 2026
However, their mission proves more than challenging as Trask employs Reavers, a fleet of overpowered militia that abduct and abuse mutants.

— Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 23 July 2026

Definition of abuse

Noun

This move by Torras signals a broader cultural shift where the utility of a device is no longer seen as a detraction from its style.

— Footwear News, Footwear News, 18 Mar. 2026
Agreeing with Kruse, Commissioner Tal Siddique cited the lack of commercial land as his main detraction for the project.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026

Definition of detraction

Noun

During Season 10, a newly confident Batula — who seemed to despise Cooke from the first minute of the premiere episode — appeared to be poised to launch a triumphant post-divorce arc, free at last from Cooke’s belittlement and verbal abuse.

— Kate Aurthur, Variety, 29 June 2026
Apolline may embrace the social media aspects of her career but George’s belittlement rankles her.

— Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug. 2025

Definition of belittlement

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“Disparagement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disparagement. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of disparagement

noun

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