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

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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

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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

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 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 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 Emily’s father didn’t say it in a disparaging way—more like That was just Ryan. — Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025 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 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 Prior to appearing on Cunningham's show on Monday, Huggins made more disparaging remarks about Xavier. — Emily Deletter, The Enquirer, 10 May 2023 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

Verb

In Sugar Land, Texas, a 90-foot statue of the deity Hanuman, consecrated in 2024 at a temple complex, continues to draw disparaging comments, including one YouTube personality who recently urged its demolition. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026 One particular line of attack has been disparaging the state’s voting systems. — Ana Ceballos, Los Angeles Times, 6 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 Teesside instead saw itself as half-forgotten by the UK government, then the butt of jokes and disparaging coverage. — Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 But for as much as Kirk was revered on the right, he was reviled on the left, facing pushback for comments disparaging immigrants and transgender people and questioning the qualifications and capabilities of women and Black Americans. — Elena Moore, NPR, 10 Sep. 2026 An administrative law judge has recommended that the Florida Department of Health reprimand and fine a nurse who posted a TikTok disparaging former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. — Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026 The complaint alleges the withdrawal resulted directly from false and disparaging statements the Warriors made about her performance and professional conduct. — Jason Green, Mercury News, 2 Sep. 2026 Someone briskly assessing workmanship or disparaging a social inferior? — Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disparaging

Adjective

Afterward, Lisa brags about her pickpocketing skills and says theft is easier and less insulting to the mark.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
The mother was waiting with her daughter for her other children to get off a school bus when Blanco allegedly approached and made insulting comments, Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez said, according to WPRI.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of insulting

Verb

Things get even more alarming when Eidra can’t reach Tom Libby and reports start rolling in that Vaughn is dismissing everyone in Trowbridge’s government who’d had a significant relationship with Kate and her team.

— Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
Citing 2026 laureate Navi Pillay—known for charging Israel with genocide and dismissing free speech—Schatz warns the award now rewards ideological insider posturing rather than genuine efforts to achieve international peace.

— Staff, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of dismissing

Adjective

Tweets about Cunningham, thinkpieces, and rebuttals have all swirled into an endless mass of controversy — one dominated by derogatory rhetoric, threats, and anti-trans memes.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2026
Many posts written and shared by Hamam al Hamami on an X account that has since been deleted used derogatory language about women espoused by misogynistic online influencers.

— Tucker Reals, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of derogatory

Verb

According to Healthline, testosterone may help protect the brain by slowing nerve cell death, promoting regeneration after injury, minimizing nerve damage and reducing inflammation in the nervous system.

— Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
Other Preventative Aphid Control Good garden hygiene, even during the fall and winter months, is crucial for minimizing harborage areas for both overwintering aphid eggs and adults, according to Crumbley.

— Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of minimizing

Verb

That global warming is diminishing them might sounds counterintuitive — climate change, after all, is worsening much of the world’s extreme weather.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Winds will finally begin diminishing Friday evening and overnight.

— Michael Autovino, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of diminishing

Adjective

At Fuerte Guaicaipuro, a military facility, investigators documented detainees being confined in pit-like cells dug below ground level and subjected to cold, food deprivation and other degrading treatment.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026
The beating can look degrading, but the check might protect opportunities for hundreds of athletes who never appear in the game.

— Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of degrading

Verb

Multiple Republicans brought up Bottoms during the debate when criticizing their GOP opponent.

— Adam Beam, AJC.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Raman brought up Gates briefly while criticizing the mayor over the Los Angeles Police Department’s handling of federal immigration enforcement during Tuesday night’s debate.

— David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of criticizing

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disparages

disparaging

disparagingly

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Style

“Disparaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disparaging. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of disparaging

adjective

verb

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