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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Recent Examples of disparagement
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
The disparagement made Knausgaard drop writing for a good ten years.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, Podhoretz became a choice target for disparagement and creative license.
—Hillel Italie, Fortune, 17 Dec. 2025
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
The disparagement made Knausgaard drop writing for a good ten years.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, Podhoretz became a choice target for disparagement and creative license.
—Hillel Italie, Fortune, 17 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disparagement
Noun
-
The complaint accuses Damon and Affleck, via their production company Artists Equity and the LLC Falco Productions, of defamation, defamation by implication and intentional infliction of emotional distress.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
-
Smith and Santana are seeking damages exceeding $75,000 for allegations of defamation and emotional distress.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
The most contentious and controversial being some very pointed criticisms of Ole Miss, his former school.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
At the same time, some of the party’s campaign committees in Washington quietly provide logistical support in some cases, while avoiding public criticism of the independent candidates even in some races where there is a Democratic nominee.—
Steve Peoples,
Fortune,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
For me, this marks an early moment in the denigration of women.—
Eana Kim,
ARTnews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Nowhere is there the vitriol or denigration found in MAGA gatherings.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The country’s recent bombardment of Lebanon, killing thousands in response to Hezbollah strikes launched after joint US-Israeli strikes assassinated Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has also drawn widespread condemnation internationally.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
-
Bowie’s back-to-back conflicts with legislative aides have drawn quiet condemnation from some City Hall staff, who have questioned her handling of sensitive workplace situations while celebrating women, diversity and public service.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Along with beating on sales and earnings in each of its two operating segments, the company's operating earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) margins also came in better than forecast.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
-
Off the top of my head, and without looking it up, my recollection is that only the accelerated depreciation is taxed at 25%, and any depreciation that was claimed using a straight line method would be subject to the normal long-term capital gain rules and brackets, which could be 0%, 15%, or 20%.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
According to the arrest documents, McDaniel was detained in Monticello after officials reportedly received a child abuse complaint.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
-
Aghamiri was sanctioned by the United States and United Kingdom in 2023 over human rights abuses linked to the crackdown on protests in Iran.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
10 May 2026
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
Noun
-
Apolline may embrace the social media aspects of her career but George’s belittlement rankles her.—
Peter Rainer,
Christian Science Monitor,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disparagement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disparagement. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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