pejoration

noun

pe·​jo·​ra·​tion
plural -s
: a change for the worse : depreciation
specifically : an historical process by which the semantic and connotative status of a word tends to decline compare melioration

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin pejoration-, pejoratio, from Late Latin pejoratus (past participle of pejorare to become worse, make worse) + Latin -ion-, -io -ion

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Dictionary Entries Near pejoration

pejorate

pejoration

pejorative

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Pejoration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pejoration. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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