poor-mouthing 1 of 2

noun

as in disparagement

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poor-mouthing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of poor-mouth
as in dismissing
to express scornfully one's low opinion of regardless of whatever is nominated, there'll be those who will poor-mouth the Oscar nominees

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for poor-mouthing
  1. disparagement
  2. dismissing
  3. minimizing
  4. diminishing
  5. running down
  6. criticizing
  7. talking down
Noun
  • Her mother, meanwhile, is backed up by her second husband (Kwon), a mild-mannered documentary filmmaker whose profession gives his wife yet more ammunition in her smiling disparagement of Sanghee.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Asserting claims for tortious interference, civil conspiracy, commercial disparagement and violations of Illinois consumer fraud laws, the Butlers sought more than $50 million in compensatory damages and over $200 million in punitive damages.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 22 June 2026
Definition of disparagement
Verb
  • In the filing, the Justice Department urged the appeals court to reverse the Tennessee federal judge’s ruling dismissing criminal charges against Abrego Garcia.
    — Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The book resuscitates the childhood feeling that most of us spend our lives tamping down and dismissing, if not completely extinguishing.
    — Chris Ware, The New York Review of Books, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of dismissing
Noun
  • This lifts the hull out of the water, reducing hydrodynamic drag and minimizing wake generation.
    — David Szondy June 27, New Atlas, 27 June 2026
  • The risk of adaptation is highest under a continuous, strong selection pressure, so minimizing, switching and staggering pesticides can help thwart resistance.
    — Jacob A Tennessen, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of minimizing
Verb
  • In the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, France's initial mediating role gave way to a pro-Armenia stance, alienating Baku and diminishing its leverage with Yerevan, which now increasingly favors the US.
    — Kamran Bokhari, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • During Anahulu Ho Emi, the third and final phase, the focus is diminishing, surrendering and reflecting.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of diminishing
Verb
  • For decades, El Capitan has kicked off the high school football season with the Vaquero Run, with players running down Maine Avenue in Lakeside.
    — John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Ace also has video of him running down the speedy Deshonne Redeaux last season to prevent a touchdown against Oaks Christian.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of running down
Verb
  • Criticizing the actions of the Israeli prime minister, a military technology contract, or the executives who supply it is not the same as criticizing Jewish people.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2026
  • McCain has often spoken out against the British royal family and Markle, in particular, routinely criticizing her on the Happy Hour talk series during the 2025 release of Markle’s docuseries With Love, Meghan.
    — Mariel Turner, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of criticizing
Verb
  • The Malheur standoff also drew in the FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team, which Northern California sheriffs credited for talking down the Henrichsens and ending last month’s kidnapping without bloodshed.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • In a daring high-wire act high above the East River, fearless NYPD cops spent nearly an hour on a span of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge talking down a woman desperately threatening to jump.
    — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 9 July 2026
Definition of talking down
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.

Browse Nearby Words

poor-mouthed
poor-mouthing
poor-mouths
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Cite this Entry

“Poor-mouthing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poor-mouthing. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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