Skip to main content
derogatory

derogatory

39 6.9
Expressing an insulting, disrespectful view of someone or something
  • adjective
  • /dɪˈrɑɡəˌtɔri/
translation icon : despectivo
  • In fact, every one of the 11 essays included some kind of derogatory comment.
  • derogatory comments
  • a derogatory term
  • derogatory language

We make fun of ourselves, we say derogatory things to ourselves.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • The bombing and the derogatory comments were representative of a wider anti-immigrant feeling in the nation.

    Academic text (2004)
  • I'm not sure I know what that means, other than it's a derogatory word, meaning "bad."

    Academic text (1993)
  • And you see this in the culture now, the use of the of the term white as a derogatory term.

  • If they ever mention me at all, it's usually in a derogatory way.

  • In the months following the court suit, Mrs. Nakaya received numerous derogatory letters and telephone calls.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Traven was exposed for months to these stories and to the often derogatory tone in which they were delivered.

    Academic text (2000)
  • 31. Second, critics argue that the use is demeaning and derogatory and results in a loss of self-esteem.

    Academic text (2008)
  • It's inappropriate to use derogatory language when discussing others' cultures.

  • She avoided making derogatory remarks about her colleagues to maintain a respectful workplace.

  • The comedian faced backlash for his derogatory jokes that offended many audiences.

Synonyms

insulting
vsderogatory
  • Offensive
130 3.0

Being rude or saying things that hurt someone

can express low opinion in milder or less offensive ways
disrespectful
vsderogatory
121 3.0

Not polite to someone, for example interrupting them

is the general attitude of low opinion rather than specific rudeness
abusive
vsderogatory
  • NSFW
70 4.9

Using insulting words or hurtful behavior toward another person

is about expressing low opinion but not necessarily violent or harmful acts
demeaning
vsderogatory
33 4.8

Making someone feel small and unimportant

expresses low opinion but not necessarily causing loss of dignity
degrading
vsderogatory
21 5.5

Causing someone to feel ashamed and less respected

denotes low opinion but not necessarily humiliation or loss of worth
contemptuous
vsderogatory
17 7.0

Showing strong dislike and clear disrespect for someone

expresses low opinion but not necessarily deep hostility
derisive
vsderogatory
  • Offensive
9 7.7

Showing you do not respect someone and think they are silly

focuses on a general low opinion rather than mocking specifically
disdainful
vsderogatory
8 7.0

Showing that you think someone or something is not worth respect

is broader, covering negative views without strong scorn
disparaging
vsderogatory
  • Offensive
1 7.0

Showing a low opinion of someone or something

is the general label for showing disrespect or a low opinion
derogative
vsderogatory
8.1

Showing a bad opinion of someone to make them seem less important

is similar but used more broadly for critical attitudes
denigratory
vsderogatory
  • Offensive
8.9

Giving unfair critical comments that make someone seem worse

is wider, covering any critical or disrespectful attitude
denigrating
vsderogatory
7.7

Harming someone's reputation by saying unfair or untrue things

focuses on expressing low opinion rather than harming reputation specifically
denigrative
vsderogatory
  • Offensive
9.3

Saying things to make someone look bad, often unfair or untrue

covers negative attitude without requiring false or harmful claims
dislogistic
vsderogatory
  • Formal
9.9

Showing disapproval by insulting or criticizing someone

is the broader term for showing a low opinion
highly derogatory
vsderogatory
  • Offensive
7.5

Very insulting and likely to deeply offend people

is the standard form, without the extreme intensity
depreciatory
vsderogatory
8.2

Showing that someone or something is not important and often insulting them

is more generally about low opinion rather than devaluing explicitly

Antonyms

150 1.1

Being polite and showing admiration for someone

18 4.2

Saying good things about someone to show you admire them

Compounds

derogatory use
  • Offensive
1 7.8

Saying a word or phrase to insult other people

A situation where words or actions show disrespect toward someone

highly derogatory
  • Offensive
7.5

Very insulting and likely to deeply offend people

How Derogatory

abusive
  • NSFW
70 4.9
insulting
  • Offensive
130 3.0
disparaging
  • Offensive
1 7.0
derogatory
39 6.9
dismissive
43 5.6

Surface Forms

derogatory positive
derogatorier comparative
derogatoriest superlative

Morphology

derogatory = derogate (transparent) = derogate + ory

Formed by adding the adjective-forming suffix '-ory' to the verb 'derogate', so the adjective meaning 'expressing disparagement' is directly derived.

Etymology

Derogatory comes from a Latin idea of 'taking away': the part de- means 'away' and the old root rogare was used in law to mean 'take away'. So, like detract, a derogatory remark 'takes away' someone's respect.