DISPARAGING Synonyms: 133 Similar and Opposite Words

disparaging 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈsper-i-jiŋ

Definition of disparaging

as in slighting

intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value disparaging comments about the lack of talent among the musical performers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

disparaging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of disparage

as in dismissing

to express scornfully one's low opinion of disparaged polo as a sport for the idle rich

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 disparaging

Adjective

Emily’s father didn’t say it in a disparaging way—more like That was just Ryan. — Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025 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 And there would be lots of soldiers around, either Army or National Guard, and the people who were civilians would be young people, very disparaging about the military. — Steve Baltin, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025 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, 29 Apr. 2026 Prior to appearing on Cunningham's show on Monday, Huggins made more disparaging remarks about Xavier. — Emily Deletter, The Enquirer, 10 May 2023 Conservative pundit Meghan McCain blasted commentator Tucker Carlson after a guest on his podcast and online show this week made a disparaging remark about her weight. — Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 5 Dec. 2025 As a former prosecutor in New York City and a professor of law at West Point, Tim Bakken believes that most people find solace in casting the most disparaging label possible upon an adversary. — Howard Manly, The Conversation, 20 Dec. 2022 The 2023 Economic Report Of The President published in March of 2023 was relatively disparaging of cryptoassets and DLTs. — Lawrence Wintermeyer, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024

Verb

With that, the government cannot make disparaging comments about him, either. — Sofi Zeman july 2, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026 Her book is divorced from reality, disparaging and riddled with false claims. — Barbara Ortutay, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026 Her book is divorced from reality, disparaging and riddled with false claims. — ABC News, 25 June 2026 Few stars get straight to the point like actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who has spoken on multiple occasions about the disparaging comments that inspired her decision to get plastic surgery. — Louis Peitzman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 June 2026 After two South Korean journalists were recorded making disparaging comments about Son’s military service, the squad briefly refused to speak to their local media. — Tomás Hill López-Menchero, New York Times, 29 June 2026 The order also stated that the school had not spoken with other colleges or universities for the purpose of disparaging Armstrong, and agreed to be prohibited from making such remarks to the institutions. — David Chiu, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026 Hokit made the disparaging remarks on June 14 in an interview immediately following his victory over Derrick Lewis in a heavyweight fight. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 23 June 2026 Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison took to X to voice frustration with candidates hopping on the Democratic ballot while disparaging the party itself. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 24 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disparaging

Adjective

Considering there were only 33 appearances this past season, such Heat prudence hardly could be viewed as insulting.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2026
What Florence has been doing is consistent and insulting.

— Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 19 June 2026

Definition of insulting

Verb

The program was established by state lawmakers in 2018 as a way to help stem the tide of mental illness in jails and prisons, usually by dismissing cases and offering treatment for the underlying conditions behind a defendant’s arrest.

— Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
Manchester, for example, was in court for a year after dismissing a contractor from the Parkade redevelopment job, and ended up paying $2 million.

— Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2026

Definition of dismissing

Adjective

The law, passed in 2024, prohibits K-12 public schools from using any derogatory Native American term for athletic team mascots, names or nicknames.

— Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
For one thing, Aniya never said anything derogatory about KC, which even the guys must grumpily acknowledge to be true.

— Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 1 July 2026

Definition of derogatory

Verb

The end goal should not be minimizing the number of systems per se, but rather making sure those systems can be adjusted and integrated quickly to keep up with changing business demands.

— Eugenia Mykuliak, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Under the former, the priority is to continue providing water and wastewater services while minimizing creditor losses and restructuring the company so a new owner can be found.

— Ian King, CNBC, 1 July 2026

Definition of minimizing

Adjective

This is demeaning, unfair, and dangerous to women and girls, and denies women and girls the equal opportunity to participate and excel in competitive sports.

— Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026
Some women who filed lawsuits against Ortega reported they had been confused about whether demeaning or uncomfortable actions the doctor engaged in during exams was within the bounds of necessary medical behavior.

— Emily Hoerner, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026

Definition of demeaning

Adjective

No one should be subject to listening to the most degrading and profane words that now seem popular with some people.

— Judith Martin, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
According to the company, the electronic attack variant is intended to provide non-kinetic effects on the battlefield by disrupting and degrading enemy sensors and reconnaissance networks.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 14 June 2026

Definition of degrading

Verb

Acknowledging and even criticizing our mistakes of the past doesn’t cheapen one’s love for the United States.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
The movie continues its tradition of addressing social issues, this time focusing on human equality and colonial looting, with pointed dialogue criticizing the British Empire.

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of criticizing

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disparages

disparaging

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“Disparaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disparaging. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of disparaging

adjective

verb

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