derogatory
adjective
Anthony Trollope
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What is a derogatory Credit Report?
When derogatory first began to be used in English it had the meaning “detracting from the character or standing of something.” It comes from the verb derogate, which can be traced to the Latin word derogare (“to detract” or “to annul (a law)”). Derogatory quickly took on the additional meaning “disdainful, disparaging,” as may be seen in the word’s frequent use in “derogatory comment.” Derogatory is increasingly seen today in credit reports, although it should not be taken as a credit card company making unkind comments on the character of the cardholder. In this context it refers to something (such as a late payment, foreclosure, or bankruptcy) that will have a negative effect on a person’s credit score.
Examples of derogatory in a Sentence
Danny May et al., Berkshire Home Style, March 2007
In Powell's memoir, Lemann points out, terms like "expert" and "academic" are clearly derogatory.
—Franklin Foer, New Republic, 5 Feb. 2001
Unfortunately, the codes were badly explained and ham-handedly enforced. At Michigan an interpretive guide called "What Students Should Know … " went beyond the scope of the actual code in saying that even a derogatory comment … would be punished by the university.
—Laurence R. Stains, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 1993
fans made a steady stream of derogatory remarks about the players on the visiting team
Charlie Campbell, Time, 3 Apr. 2025
Gopnik is a derogatory Russian slang word that roughly translates to thug.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2025
Text messages introduced at trial showed Proctor using offensive and derogatory language to describe Read to family, friends and supervisors.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 31 Mar. 2025
The backlash stems from a series of inflammatory social media posts where Kanye mocked JAY-Z and Beyoncé’s youngest children, making derogatory claims about their mental health.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derogatory
Cite this Entry
“Derogatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derogatory. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.
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derogatory
adjective
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