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to disparage

to disparage

28 7.7
To speak badly about someone or something to show little respect
  • verb
  • /dɪsˈpærɪdʒ/
translation icon : menospreciar
  • But I will never allow anyone to disparage Toys-R-Us because for me, it was where I wanted to go when I was a kid.
  • often disparaged
  • disparaged mainstream culture
  • disparage the achievement

I don't understand why Lynch disparaged architecture as such.

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Examples

  • Never disparage your own child.

  • In China, religion has been disparaged, at times suppressed, and generally subordinated to the needs of the state.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Only those who have never experienced it will want to disparage it.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Repeat that in your head every time you begin to disparage yourself.

  • And I know that growing up my mom made a conscious effort not to disparage our dad to us.

  • - That doesn't give you the right to disparage my reputation.

  • I will not stand to be disparaged.

  • Well, look, first off, let me say that there are a lot of good police officers out there, and I don't want to in any way disparage what they do, all right?

  • The convention was a radical project, and the old governing elite disparaged and ignored it.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Critics often disparage the director's latest film, claiming it lacks originality.

Synonyms

to insult
vsto disparage
  • Offensive
543 2.1

To say or do something rude to someone

expresses disrespect more broadly rather than only direct scornful abuse
to disrespect
vsto disparage
115 3.5

To show a lack of respect for someone

expresses low regard in speech rather than general rude behaviour
to denounce
vsto disparage
  • Formal
115 6.8

Publicly criticize someone or something strongly

expresses disrespect in speech without the formal public condemnation focus
to ridicule
vsto disparage
  • Offensive
108 4.6

To make someone look silly in a mean way so others laugh at them

expresses contempt in words rather than playful humour
to demean
vsto disparage
53 6.8

To make someone feel less respected or important

shows disrespect by speaking down rather than only attacking dignity
to denigrate
vsto disparage
48 7.8

To say bad things about someone without a good reason to make them seem less important

criticizes to show disrespect rather than focusing only on unfairness
to belittle
vsto disparage
45 5.0

To make someone or something seem not important

shows lack of respect or value rather than only reducing worth
to vilify
vsto disparage
43 7.9

To say or write bad things about someone to harm them

expresses derogatory opinion without necessarily aiming to destroy reputation
to malign
vsto disparage
33 7.7

To say harmful or false things about someone to hurt them

criticizes to show low respect without always implying falsehood or spite
to deride
vsto disparage
26 7.8

To make fun of someone in a cruel way

criticizes to show disrespect rather than focusing solely on mockery
to stigmatize
vsto disparage
  • US
24 7.5

Treat someone as shameful and not worthy of respect

expresses insulting criticism without the wider social marking or label
to badmouth
vsto disparage
  • Informal
15 7.6

To speak badly about someone behind their backs

expresses disrespect without necessarily being spoken maliciously or informally
to disdain
vsto disparage
15 6.4

To treat a person or thing as not worthy of respect

expresses active derogatory speech rather than just an attitude of contempt
to pick at
vsto disparage
3 5.7

Keep finding small faults in someone or their ideas

shows disrespect more generally rather than focusing on small repeated faults
to derogate
vsto disparage
1 8.4

Say or do things that make someone seem less respected

expresses derogatory criticism more generally rather than a formal act
to slur
vsto disparage
  • Offensive
1 7.7

To say insulting things about someone to harm their reputation

expresses a general disrespectful attitude rather than just single offensive remarks
to pillorize
vsto disparage
  • US
9.9

To say bad things about someone in public to make them feel ashamed

is derogatory in private or public without necessarily being public humiliation

Antonyms

285 1.9

To think a person or thing is important

161 1.0

Words or actions that show admiration for someone

100 3.6

Praise someone with words you do not mean to get their help

How Critical

to vilify
43 7.9
to deride
26 7.8
to disparage
28 7.7
to belittle
45 5.0
to criticize
701 3.3

Surface Forms

disparage infinitive
disparaged past
disparaged past participle
disparaging present participle
disparages third person singular

Morphology

disparage = dis + parage

Although historically analyzable as dis- + parage, 'parage' is not a productive or recognizable English base, so learners cannot reliably derive the meaning from the parts.

Etymology

Disparage comes from the parts dis- ('away, not') and parage ('rank' or 'status'), so it once meant to make someone lower in rank. That's why to disparage someone today is to speak of them as less valuable or worthy, showing little respect.