Synonyms of pejorative

pejorative

adjective

pi-ˈjȯr-ə-tiv 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• insulting
• slighting
• derogatory
• malicious
• demeaning
• disparaging
• deprecatory
• uncomplimentary
• contemptuous
• derogative
• depreciatory
• scornful
• degrading
• abusive
• disdainful
• critical
• depreciative
• denigratory
• derisory
• venomous
• hateful
• detractive
• libelous
• belittling
• nasty
• denigrative
• cruel
• slanderous
• decrying
• defamatory
• scurrilous
• opprobrious
• spiteful
• unkind
• calumnious
• malignant
• virulent
• malevolent
• malign
• mean
• despiteful
• catty
• denunciatory
• bitter
• caustic
• vilifying
• jealous
• maligning
• resentful
• envious
• slandering
• acrimonious
• jaundiced
• rancorous
• scathing
• acrid
• aspersing
• denunciative

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• laudatory
• complimentary
• positive
• commendatory
• friendly
• adulatory
• respectful
• approving
• appreciative
• sympathetic
• laudative
• admiring
• kind
• warm
• kindly
• applauding
• kindhearted
• warmhearted
• unmalicious

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pejorative

And that was not a pejorative term. — Mariel Carr, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2026

Liborio speaks with a mix of rage and despondence about his situation; complaining about the pejorative labels those around him call him to diminish his existence. — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026

This is not a pejorative statement. — Jason Pettigrew, SPIN, 9 Mar. 2026

Over the years, the term has come to have a slightly pejorative slant, signifying a marginal kook who never quite made it into leading-lady territory. — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2026

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