disparage

verb

dis·par·age di-ˈsper-ij

-ˈspa-rij

disparaged; disparaging; disparages

Synonyms of disparage next

transitive verb

: to belittle the importance or value of (someone or something) : to speak slightingly about (someone or something)

disparaged his opponent

religious beliefs disparaged as superstition

… drew fire this month for disparaging the company's theme parks as "cheap day-care centers for teenagers" …—

Lisa Fickenscher

: to lower (someone or something) in rank or reputation : degrade

Mr Miles said changing the hospital's name was not designed to disparage the name or recognition of Lady Cilento.—

Lucy Stone

disparagement

di-ˈsper-ij-mənt

-ˈspa-rij-

noun

disparager noun

Did you know?

In Middle English, to "disparage" someone meant causing that person to marry someone of inferior rank. Disparage derives from the Anglo-French word desparager, meaning "to marry below one's class." Desparager, in turn, combines the negative prefix des- with parage (meaning "equality" or "lineage"), which itself comes from per, meaning "peer." The original "marriage" sense of disparage is now obsolete, but a closely-related sense (meaning "to lower in rank or reputation") survives in modern English. By the 16th century, English speakers (including William Shakespeare) were also using disparage to mean simply "to belittle."

Choose the Right Synonym for disparage

decry, depreciate, disparage, belittle mean to express a low opinion of.

decry implies open condemnation with intent to discredit.

decried their defeatist attitude

depreciate implies a representing as being of less value than commonly believed.

critics depreciate his plays for being unabashedly sentimental

disparage implies depreciation by indirect means such as slighting or invidious comparison.

disparaged polo as a game for the rich

belittle usually suggests a contemptuous or envious attitude.

belittled the achievements of others

Examples of disparage in a Sentence

Voters don't like political advertisements in which opponents disparage one another. It's a mistake to disparage their achievements. The article disparaged polo as a game for the wealthy.

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

As a drama with an elemental emotional kick—a child alone, facing dangers while trying to find his way home—it has been wrongly disparaged as sentimental, conventional, or even compromised. —

Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2025 Pay attention to the attempts to disparage the new state’s attorney. —

Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2025 Heath was great, Hugh’s great, nothing disparaging about anybody who took advantage of it. —

Caroline Tompkins, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025 Before officially parting ways with Bethune-Cookman, Reed made some disparaging comments about the conditions of the university's athletic facilities during a live stream. —

Chantz Martin, Fox News, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for disparage

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, to degrade by marriage below one's class, disparage, from Anglo-French desparager to marry below one's class, from des- dis- + parage equality, lineage, from per peer

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler

The first known use of disparage was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Disparage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disparage. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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Kids Definition

disparage

verb

dis·par·age dis-ˈpar-ij

disparaged; disparaging

: to lower in rank : degrade

: to speak of as unimportant or not much good : belittle

disparaged the performance

disparagement

-mənt

noun

disparaging adjective

disparagingly

-ij-iŋ-lē

adverb

Last Updated: 29 Jan 2025 - Updated example sentences

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disparage

verb

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Synonyms

Examples of disparage in a Sentence

Word History

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Dictionary Entries Near disparage

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Kids Definition