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pejorative

pejorative

4 7.7
A word that shows strong dislike of someone or something
  • noun
  • /pɪˈdʒɔːrətɪv/
translation icon : término despectivo
  • It is a pejorative used to attack the existing economic system.

So you have to say in my house, in my home, in my room, we do not use racial pejoratives.

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Examples

  • You're giving tacit approval to the use of a term that is a pejorative in reference to a woman's sexuality.

    Blog text (18)
  • The problem with the word fundamentalist as a pejorative is that fundamentalists are proud to call themselves fundamentalists.

    Blog text (19)
  • How that could be so is beyond me, but perhaps he regards "Jewish" as a pejorative.

    Blog text (1)
  • An Indian word was originally used as a pejorative, but it was adopted by the Mugwumps.

  • "Democrat" as an adjective is a pejorative used only by Republicans.

    Blog text (13)
  • And when you finally did entertain it, you dismissed it with pejoratives.

    Blog text (30)
  • But the use of nature as a pejorative is equally troubling, something that Hearn challenges.

    Academic text (2018)
  • Using the word "truther" as a pejorative isn't quite logical, either.

    Blog text (33)
  • The term conspiracy theory and its derivatives are often used as pejoratives, implying that devotees are not reasonable interlocutors (Husting and Orr 2007).

    Academic text (2016)
  • Many consider the term 'loser' to be a pejorative that reflects societal judgment.

Synonyms

name
vspejorative
  • Offensive
7.9

A word used to hurt or insult someone

is a general negative expression not always meant to insult
rebuke
vspejorative
22 6.8

A strong comment that shows disapproval of someone's actions

is a negative word or phrase that may not be directly addressed
disparagement
vspejorative
3 8.1

Talking about someone in a way that shows dislike and makes them seem unimportant

is a single negative expression rather than the broader act
dispraise
vspejorative
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Speaking badly about a person or thing to show you do not approve

is a negative expression that may be used within such disapproval
derogation
vspejorative
8.6

A comment or action that makes someone feel unimportant

expresses negative judgment more generally, not only demeaning speech
vitriolic remark
vspejorative
  • Offensive
8.9

A very harsh and angry comment meant to hurt someone

expresses negative judgment but in milder terms than that extreme

Antonyms

161 1.0

Words or actions that show admiration for someone

How Disparaging

slur
  • Offensive
54 7.4
derogatory use
  • Offensive
1 7.8
pejorative
4 7.7
criticism
512 3.0

Surface Forms

pejorative singular
pejoratives plural

Etymology

Pejorative comes from the Latin root pejor, which means 'worse'. That is why a pejorative as a noun is a word that makes someone or something look 'worse' and expresses criticism or disapproval.