PEJORATIVE Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

pejorative

adjective

pi-ˈjȯr-ə-tiv

Definition of pejorative

as in insulting

intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value the reviewer used the pejorative word "versifier" to refer to the writer, whose poems had struck a responsive chord with the general public

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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 pejorative The term hillbilly, which is often considered pejorative, refers to isolated white Americans with origins in rural and mountainous areas, often in the South, Appalachia, or the Ozarks. — Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 June 2026 These aren’t just NIMBY complaints—not in the pejorative sense, at least. — IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2026 But even scholars often employ the term as a pejorative, used to describe authoritarian government. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026 And that was not a pejorative term. — Mariel Carr, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pejorative

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pejorative

Adjective

The target of the anger and scorn in all the insulting posters, slogans, and graffiti of the protest zone was not the education minister but Modi himself.

— Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026
The big reveal that Rey was really the still-not-dead Emperor’s grand-daughter was incoherent and kind of insulting.

— Adam Frank, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of insulting

Adjective

The staff member leading the group says the man cussed at them, shouted derogatory names and continued to reference guns.

— Olivia Young, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Saar equipped an Aunt Jemima Black mammy figurine with a rifle alongside her broom, and placed a derogatory postcard in front of it featuring another Black mammy with a mulatto child.

— Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026

Definition of derogatory

Adjective

These errors can cause crashes or enable attackers to exploit memory vulnerabilities, risking data corruption or executing malicious code.

— Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Elijah Bieniemy, who is 27 and is a graduate of Olathe Northwest High School, has been charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm during the commission of a felony and discharge of a firearm inside of a dwelling.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026

Definition of malicious

Adjective

Felix points to Trump’s disparaging and false comments against Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, which put a target on the back of many Haitian immigrants.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
The irony is that Trump has been more disparaging and dismissive of the military than any other president.

— Joe Garofoli, San Francisco Chronicle, 17 Mar. 2026

Definition of disparaging

Adjective

This subsided with unusual speed, however, as cricket fans took instead to sharing the self-deprecatory jokes coming over the border.

— The Economist, The Economist, 22 June 2019
Philipps has acquired her 1-million-and-growing Instagram followers through her self-deprecatory humor, raw honesty and vulnerability.

— Sonja Haller, USA TODAY, 11 July 2018

Definition of deprecatory

Adjective

Neither party admitted to liability and each agreed to refrain from making disparaging, negative or uncomplimentary statements about the other, the document said.

— Lorraine Mirabella, Baltimore Sun, 29 July 2022
Though the pollen gunk will pass, he's concerned by a contingent of Twitter trolls who've shared uncomplimentary reviews of his recent North American tour.

— Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE.com, 21 Jan. 2022

Definition of uncomplimentary

Adjective

The Larson campaign became openly contemptuous of Bronin at the May convention.

— Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026
The man didn’t catch Serena’s contemptuous expression, however, too busy peeling bills from a money clip and pressing them into his date’s hand.

— Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026

Definition of contemptuous

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pegs out

pejorative

pelage

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“Pejorative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pejorative. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of pejorative

adjective

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