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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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 But that pejorative term isn’t reserved only for those in pop or rock music. — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 8 July 2026 Wilder has been criticized so often for the pejorative descriptions of Indigenous people in the book series that in 2018, a division of the American Library Association removed her name from a prestigious achievement award for children’s literature. — Emily Staunton, Christian Science Monitor, 8 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for pejorative

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pejorative

Adjective

But to propose trading him for anything short of a fourth-round pick is insulting.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Afterward, Lisa brags about her pickpocketing skills and says theft is easier and less insulting to the mark.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of insulting

Adjective

Apalachee High School's interim head football coach has resigned as the school investigated reports of racially derogatory language, according to an email sent to families.

— CBS News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
His opening monologue sparked immediate backlash for including derogatory comments about women’s gym attire, something stars such as Maren Morris and Flavor Flav blasted online in the days that followed.

— Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of derogatory

Adjective

The malicious system component silently installs apps that look like weather tools, app lockers and other everyday utilities.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
The Federal Bureau of Investigation also warned that malicious actors could exploit the vulnerabilities to execute code remotely, putting sensitive data and networks at risk.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 22 Oct. 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

Yet the two plots remain separate and contemptuous of each other, with no denouement in sight.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
Below the surface, there is a lot of contemptuous finger-pointing about where the anti-AI energy now coursing through the political-media landscape is coming from.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 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 26 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of pejorative

adjective

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