DEROGATIVE Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

derogative

adjective

Definition of derogative

as in insulting

intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value used a common derogative word for lawyers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for derogative

Adjective

At the end of the last cruise, everyone shunned me, except for Roy, who instead was cruel and insulting to me.

— Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 6 Aug. 2026
This struck Stevens and her allies as immature, insulting, and more than a little sexist.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of insulting

Adjective

In 43% of the videos, women were subjected to derogatory commentary, and other subjects were identified or doxxed.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026
Carrington’s social media replies are littered with comments calling her violent, along with derogatory statements about her race and sexuality.

— Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of derogatory

Adjective

This will likely not be the last time US courts see the malicious tactic, as AI tools become more commonplace in court systems.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026
After all, an agent could accept a URL and download a malicious package without its human user even knowing.

— David Berreby, IEEE Spectrum, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of malicious

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, 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

Definition of disparaging

Adjective

Neither party admitted to liability and each agreed to refrain from making disparaging, negative or uncomplimentary statements about the other, the document said.

— Lorraine Mirabella, Baltimore Sun, 29 July 2022
Though the pollen gunk will pass, he's concerned by a contingent of Twitter trolls who've shared uncomplimentary reviews of his recent North American tour.

— Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE.com, 21 Jan. 2022

Definition of uncomplimentary

Adjective

This subsided with unusual speed, however, as cricket fans took instead to sharing the self-deprecatory jokes coming over the border.

— The Economist, The Economist, 22 June 2019
Philipps has acquired her 1-million-and-growing Instagram followers through her self-deprecatory humor, raw honesty and vulnerability.

— Sonja Haller, USA TODAY, 11 July 2018

Definition of deprecatory

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.

Browse Nearby Words

derogations

derogative

derogatory

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“Derogative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derogative. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of derogative

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

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