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 next

as in to dismiss

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

Examples of disparage in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web 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