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

Examples 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 Renner noted the disparaging remarks about Puerto Ricans were made by a comedian. Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2024 Stella Rouse, a politics professor and director of the Hispanic Research Center at Arizona State University, said the disparaging comments about Puerto Rico made at the Trump rally seemed to be aimed at people in the audience who already had the belief that Puerto Ricans are not Americans. Daniel Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 29 Oct. 2024 Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani also repeated disparaging rhetoric on Palestinians. Soo Rin Kim, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2024 Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made disparaging comments about Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory. Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for disparage 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disparage
Verb
  • Some critics of President Biden may dismiss his recent apology of the federal Indian boarding schools as a strategy to win votes in what was a tight presidential election race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
    Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2024
  • But other Republicans push back on the criticism of Selzer, saying the campaign should not outright dismiss the poll’s findings.
    Julia Manchester, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • In contrast, the single-bore method minimizes street-level disruption.
    Dan Phan, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
  • This method, which is based on the idea of moving to where the hottest deer sign and action can be found, is used by many hunters who decide to minimize their hunting gear footprint and overall carry weight.
    Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • But now, arrivals have diminished significantly, and officials closed the city’s last migrant shelter last month.
    Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Black Lives Matter is severely diminished as an institution.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Thao, the first Hmong American mayor to lead a major American city, was criticized shortly after taking office for letting go of a police chief and taking months to replace him.
    Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
  • But the group has largely been shy about criticizing Trump openly.
    Peter Green, Quartz, 9 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Olsen stresses that understanding how the fossils were preserved doesn’t denigrate them.
    Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Opium is revered by Carti truthers who treat his 2020 album Whole Lotta Red as the Bible, and denigrated by non-believers as a bunch of edgelords who come off as wannabe Satan-worshipers.
    Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • At the time, some leaders found his comments belittling and a bad message.
    Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024
  • Simone Martini, sometimes belittled as a maker of pretty court confections, emerges here as an artist of drama and depth.
    Christian K. Kleinbub, ARTnews.com, 29 Oct. 2024

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Thesaurus Entries Near disparage

Cite this Entry

“Disparage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disparage. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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