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

Some job seekers say AI interviews can feel impersonal, stilted, and downright insulting.

— Sarah Jackson Juhohn Lee, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
Even more insulting was the cold, transactional nature of the intrusion.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of insulting

Adjective

Many posts written and shared by Hamam al Hamami on an X account that has since been deleted used derogatory language about women espoused by misogynistic online influencers.

— Tucker Reals, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
The Webster Wallace profile is responsible for several other derogatory posts about the mayor, as well.

— Reed Williams, AJC.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of derogatory

Adjective

Strong antivirus software can help protect against malicious links, phishing sites and malware that may appear alongside these scams.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Tech companies are playing whack-a-mole around the world as their models get up to more hijinks and are used for malicious purposes.

— J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 7 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

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
Relative to the contemptuous silence of the Mike Ashley regime, there is no comparison — but even when compared to previous post-takeover administrations, Newcastle are being more communicative.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 8 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 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of pejorative

adjective

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