UNCOMPLIMENTARY Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

uncomplimentary

adjective

ˌən-ˌkäm-plə-ˈmen-tə-rē

Definition of uncomplimentary

as in insulting

intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value an uncomplimentary description of the town in which the writer grew up

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 uncomplimentary 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 Reviews from Rolling Stone and The New York Times were similarly uncomplimentary, and were soon pulled from publication following Lennon's murder. — Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2020 The nation’s capital is replete with lawyers, and thus lawyer jokes (most of them uncomplimentary). — George Weigel, National Review, 2 Dec. 2019 An uncomplimentary set of players under two head coaches with no plan, Spurs stumbled their way to sixth place somehow, despite their best efforts to finish in the bottom half. — SI.com, 21 Oct. 2019 In this case, the noun brickbat, meaning a hard object like a brick that’s used as a missile or an uncomplimentary remark, gave us the verb brickbat, meaning to launch one of these physical or verbal weapons. — June Casagrande, Burbank Leader, 10 Oct. 2019 The recent protests have included uncomplimentary references to la junta — the local name for the oversight board. — Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2019

Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncomplimentary

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

The point is, the term is meant to be pejorative, used to describe — and let’s face it, judge — the most exaggerated form of plastic surgery, politics aside.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Calling something a white wine thriller could be interpreted as pejorative, if not sexist.

— Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of pejorative

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

Browse Nearby Words

uncomplicated

uncomplimentary

uncompromising

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“Uncomplimentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncomplimentary. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of uncomplimentary

adjective

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