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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 disparagement Iamaleava could have allowed the disparagement to compound, but the starting signal-caller is using it as fuel for a 2026 season where many have the Bruins painted as a potential dark horse. — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Her mother, meanwhile, is backed up by her second husband (Kwon), a mild-mannered documentary filmmaker whose profession gives his wife yet more ammunition in her smiling disparagement of Sanghee. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disparagement
  1. defamation
  2. criticism
  3. denigration
  4. condemnation
  5. depreciation
  6. abuse
  7. detraction
  8. belittlement
Noun
  • Beyond the 2022 case dismissal, in other instances, charges were never filed, information has come out clouding an accuser’s story, or Brown has counter-sued for defamation — details which complicate each story.
    — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Trump has also sued outlets including the BBC, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal for defamation.
    — Rob Wile, NBC news, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of defamation
Noun
  • The remarks drew criticism from some Jewish and pro-Israel organizations, including the Israeli-American Council, which called for Macklemore to be removed from the tour.
    — Anna Tingley, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The loss aggravated criticism of quarterback Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ lack of protection for him.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of criticism
Noun
  • Freedom, mobility; who gets to be an artist; style, ornamentation, artifice; work, leisure; the counterculture; the denigration of femininity; West Coast oddballism.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
  • For me, this marks an early moment in the denigration of women.
    — Eana Kim, ARTnews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Definition of denigration
Noun
  • One particularly problematic scene has the villagers, among them the lovestruck and jealous Wilf, confronting Philip until he is forced to lash out physically, leading to further condemnation.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026
  • With protests against the moves beginning to take shape, the crackdowns show no signs of letting up, even as international attention and condemnation begins to pour in.
    — Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of condemnation
Noun
  • On the other hand, higher Fed rates typically bolster the attractiveness of dollar assets, exerting depreciation pressure on local currencies.
    — , CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Analysts say the naira currency’s depreciation over the last three years, due to Nigeria’s economic policy revamp, highlights the macroeconomic risks that may put off investors in the economy, including in healthcare.
    — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of depreciation
Noun
  • The statement did not comment directly on the findings of incidents of abuse by Ukrainian forces.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The allegations of partner abuse likewise don’t seem to sully the fantasy fueled by his onstage presence and his music.
    — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 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

Browse Nearby Words

disparaged
disparagement
disparagements
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Cite this Entry

“Disparagement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disparagement. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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