DISPARAGE Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

disparage

verb

di-ˈsper-ij

Definition of disparage

as in to dismiss

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

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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 Each worker signed a document seen by the Associated Press agreeing to not disparage Caddell and to not disclose the individual payments. — Colleen Barry, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 This is to disparage neither Harper Lee’s 1960 bildungsroman nor Kingsolver’s family saga. — Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026 Kennedy has disparaged the flu shot or linked it to his voice condition at least two dozen times over the last six years. — Lena H. Sun, Washington Post, 4 Oct. 2026 The inference was that Jamie had planted a disparaging story about his older brother to hasten his exit. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disparage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disparage

Verb

The stance has seen Newsom, who warns the passage of Prop 40 could see an exodus of the super rich from California, mocked and dismissed by fellow Democrats.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
The complaint was ultimately dismissed, and Iowa's Republican leaders celebrated the ruling.

— CBS News, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of dismiss

Verb

Department leaders are evaluating how to best deploy resources for different emergencies and minimize disruptions.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026
Research actually shows that having depression can more than double your risk for dementia, so don’t minimize it, Tucker says.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of minimize

Verb

Bill Essayli, the top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, criticized the state's election officials for not cooperating with the department's demands.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
But others criticized the tactics used and family separations.

— Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of criticize

Verb

This is not to denigrate what pathbreaking American technology companies can accomplish on their own—their innovation is the envy of the world, and rightly so.

— DAVID S. COHEN, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026
Today, some of Nashville’s biggest stars have aligned themselves with (or shrewdly eschewed criticism of) a political movement that has denigrated countless demographic groups, including Punjabi immigrants.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of denigrate

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disowns

disparage

disparaged

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“Disparage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disparage. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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