disparage

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb disparage contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of disparage are belittle, decry, and depreciate. While all these words mean "to express a low opinion of," disparage implies depreciation by indirect means such as slighting or invidious comparison.

disparaged polo as a game for the rich

When might belittle be a better fit than disparage?

The meanings of belittle and disparage largely overlap; however, belittle usually suggests a contemptuous or envious attitude.

belittled the achievements of others

When is decry a more appropriate choice than disparage?

The synonyms decry and disparage are sometimes interchangeable, but decry implies open condemnation with intent to discredit.

decried their defeatist attitude

When is it sensible to use depreciate instead of disparage?

While the synonyms depreciate and disparage are close in meaning, depreciate implies a representing as being of less value than commonly believed.

critics depreciate his plays for being unabashedly sentimental

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 disparage Both celebrated and disparaged for his kitschy signature settings, the ‘Painter of Light’ Thomas Kinkade rocketed to popularity in the ‘90s by marketing himself to American evangelicals and pitting himself against the elite art establishment. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 26 Feb. 2025 The post, featuring a collage of their graphic design artwork and screenshots of disparaging comments, has been upvoted more than 207,000 times to date. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025 Much of that goodwill disappeared mere weeks after the nominations when enterprising X users dug up some of Gascón's old tweets which revealed a pattern of bigoted viewpoints, with disparaging comments about Islam among the most egregious. Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025 Republican politicians once appealed to voters by disparaging welfare recipients and Black people. Karyn Vilbig, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disparage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disparage
Verb
  • Trump upon taking office dismissed the DOJ employees who worked on his two criminal prosecutions with Smith.
    Erin Doherty, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Some loved the medical thriller aspects and quick pacing, while others dismissed it as shallow and improbable.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Windows users can minimize data collection by adjusting their privacy settings under 'Diagnostics & feedback.' 2.
    Alex Vakulov, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • SpaceX took steps to minimize the chances that the problem would recur on Flight 8.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The intense criticism of the COVID response has left a lingering public distrust in health and diminished their influence.
    Tina Reed, Axios, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The seeming smallness of the story does nothing to diminish the film’s bleakness nor blunt its ultimately devastating impact.
    Emma Specter, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito have sharply criticized the other Supreme Court judges for declining to hear a case called Alabama v. California.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Edelman sharply criticized that decision in an interview that aired last week on the Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • State of play: Trump has made cracking down on immigration one of the cornerstone goals of his second term and has a history of denigrating non-English speaking immigrants.
    Ivana Saric, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The agency was also the subject of a House committee hearing on February 5, during which Rep. Nancy Mace repeatedly used a transphobic slur to denigrate U.S. support for LGBTQ+ programs abroad.
    Samantha Riedel, Them, 12 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Following the complaint, the employee is said to have felt actively sidelined and belittled.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The suit also alleges Santiago belittled Aleysha in front of teachers and other students and mocked her learning disabilities.
    Danny Freeman, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disparage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disparage. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

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