as in slighting
intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value
disparaging comments about the lack of talent among the musical performers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in dismissing
to express scornfully one's low opinion of
disparaged polo as a sport for the idle rich
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disparaging
Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 5 Dec. 2025
Emily’s father didn’t say it in a disparaging way—more like That was just Ryan.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
And there would be lots of soldiers around, either Army or National Guard, and the people who were civilians would be young people, very disparaging about the military.
—Steve Baltin, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
The 2023 Economic Report Of The President published in March of 2023 was relatively disparaging of cryptoassets and DLTs.
—Lawrence Wintermeyer, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
Prior to appearing on Cunningham's show on Monday, Huggins made more disparaging remarks about Xavier.
—Emily Deletter, The Enquirer, 10 May 2023
As a former prosecutor in New York City and a professor of law at West Point, Tim Bakken believes that most people find solace in casting the most disparaging label possible upon an adversary.
—Howard Manly, The Conversation, 20 Dec. 2022
Scam victims could be called innocent to the misdeeds of the net, but being deemed gullible is the more disparaging and stubborn charge.
—Hannah Zeavin, Harper’s Magazine , 22 June 2022
Will Smith was given the Golden Raspberry Awards’ lone non-disparaging prize, with Smith earning the Redeemer Award after landing an actual Oscar nod for his role in King RIchard; Nicolas Cage and Jamie Dornan were also considered for the quasi-honor.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2022
Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2026
Bruce Pearl — the former Auburn coach and father of Steven Pearl, the current coach — recently made comments disparaging the resume of Miami (Ohio), another team on the bubble, presumably to prop up Auburn’s chances.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 16 Mar. 2026
The documents, sent anonymously, show officers sending and forwarding inappropriate and offensive content, including nude images and disparaging jokes and comments about women, Muslims and Black people, between 2010 and 2012.
—Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
Councilmember Vickie Paladino filed a lawsuit against the City Council Monday in an effort to stop a disciplinary process against her for a series of posts disparaging Muslims.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026
Sportsmanship and maturity seem less important than disparaging Canadians.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
Students and staff also called for his resignation in 2005 following his disparaging comments about women in science.
—Yana Van Der Meulen Rodgers, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2026
The union agreed to abide by the ruling of the arbitrator, who sided with the owners on the disparaging nature of the public report card releases.
—Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Minn was to speak about the documentary a few weeks ago at area high schools, but his appearances were canceled apparently because of concern about disparaging the police.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Conservative pundit Meghan McCain blasted commentator Tucker Carlson after a guest on his podcast and online show this week made a disparaging remark about her weight.
—Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 5 Dec. 2025
Emily’s father didn’t say it in a disparaging way—more like That was just Ryan.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
And there would be lots of soldiers around, either Army or National Guard, and the people who were civilians would be young people, very disparaging about the military.
—Steve Baltin, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
The 2023 Economic Report Of The President published in March of 2023 was relatively disparaging of cryptoassets and DLTs.
—Lawrence Wintermeyer, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
Prior to appearing on Cunningham's show on Monday, Huggins made more disparaging remarks about Xavier.
—Emily Deletter, The Enquirer, 10 May 2023
As a former prosecutor in New York City and a professor of law at West Point, Tim Bakken believes that most people find solace in casting the most disparaging label possible upon an adversary.
—Howard Manly, The Conversation, 20 Dec. 2022
Scam victims could be called innocent to the misdeeds of the net, but being deemed gullible is the more disparaging and stubborn charge.
—Hannah Zeavin, Harper’s Magazine , 22 June 2022
Will Smith was given the Golden Raspberry Awards’ lone non-disparaging prize, with Smith earning the Redeemer Award after landing an actual Oscar nod for his role in King RIchard; Nicolas Cage and Jamie Dornan were also considered for the quasi-honor.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2022
Verb
Over the past week, a battle raged between actor Timothée Chalamet and the realm of opera and ballet following his disparaging remarks about the art forms during a town hall in Austin.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2026
Bruce Pearl — the former Auburn coach and father of Steven Pearl, the current coach — recently made comments disparaging the resume of Miami (Ohio), another team on the bubble, presumably to prop up Auburn’s chances.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 16 Mar. 2026
The documents, sent anonymously, show officers sending and forwarding inappropriate and offensive content, including nude images and disparaging jokes and comments about women, Muslims and Black people, between 2010 and 2012.
—Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
Councilmember Vickie Paladino filed a lawsuit against the City Council Monday in an effort to stop a disciplinary process against her for a series of posts disparaging Muslims.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026
Sportsmanship and maturity seem less important than disparaging Canadians.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
Students and staff also called for his resignation in 2005 following his disparaging comments about women in science.
—Yana Van Der Meulen Rodgers, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2026
The union agreed to abide by the ruling of the arbitrator, who sided with the owners on the disparaging nature of the public report card releases.
—Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Minn was to speak about the documentary a few weeks ago at area high schools, but his appearances were canceled apparently because of concern about disparaging the police.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disparaging
Verb
-
Haitian law also forbids dismissing workers for union activities.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Ferguson took 3-16, dismissing Linde to end the innings.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
While their insulting jabs at each other make for good laughs, their arc as teammates learning to work together is what gives the film its heart.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Prestianni, who has denied racially insulting Vinícius and has been defended by Benfica, was provisionally suspended for one match by UEFA and did not play in the second leg.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Even the Spotted Stone bar gets in on the eco action, utilizing all ingredients and minimizing waste (lemon and lime skins are processed and used to make homemade syrups for cocktails, for example).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The microbiome also benefits from aerobic exercise, reduced stress and consistent sleep, as well as minimizing antibiotics and even having a pet — especially a dog, Cryan says.—
Holly Haber,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The derogatory language has been percolating among Republican officials for months, often prominent when criticizing New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who is Muslim.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Mar. 2026
-
If this is the overall vibe of Friends Keep Secrets, then the show — the first acquisition for #inspo podcaster Jay Shetty’s production company — is a must-watch in the most derogatory sense of the word.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Over time, your appliance builds up with minerals from hard water, such as calcium and magnesium, diminishing its ability to effectively clean your items.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The drumbeat for the diminishing prospects of the first-run syndication business has been growing louder over the past few years amid a shrinking marketplace.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Political bullies also enjoy demeaning names and character assassination.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Constantly at each other’s throats, the pair matches wits with demeaning quips and physical comedy greatness.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Warning about the potential consequences of Skydance founder Ellison and his father, Oracle’s Larry Ellison, owning both CBS and CNN, Acosta’s remarks picked up on a placard quoting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last week criticizing the media over its Iran war coverage.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Friedman pointed to instances of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other top Pentagon officials criticizing news outlets in harsh terms.—
Jacob Rosen,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Were Fidel Castro’s efforts to free his people from the degrading influences of foreigners meant to be erased by a president who, instead of allowing Cuba to struggle with its problems, added to them by cutting its oil supply?—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Former detainees and human rights organizations have documented systematic torture and severe abuses inside the facility, including beatings, electric shocks, suspension by limbs, prolonged stress positions and other degrading treatment.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disparaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disparaging. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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