Definitions

disparage

[dih-spar-ij] / dɪˈspær ɪdʒ /

VERB

criticize; detract from

Synonyms

STRONGEST

belittle decry defame degrade denigrate deride discredit dismiss malign ridicule scorn slander underrate vilify

STRONG

abuse chill deject demoralize deprecate depreciate derogate discourage disdain dishearten dispirit lower minimize pan rap roast scorch slam smear traduce underestimate undervalue

WEAK

cry down dis dispraise downcry dump on put down put hooks in run down sour grapes tear down write off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

admire approve commend compliment exaggerate exalt flatter honor praise

STRONG

encourage esteem hearten increase inspirit laud maximize overestimate overrate raise respect

WEAK

sanction

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“I took all of his commentary to be very, very careful not to disparage any person on the court or elsewhere,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

Spielberg, for his part, was careful not to disparage streaming.

From Barron's • Mar. 14, 2026

USA men's ice hockey player Brady Tkachuk has distanced himself from an AI-enhanced White House video in which he appears to disparage Canadians, saying "those words would never come out of my mouth".

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

They asked the American Theatre Wing and Broadway League to discourage those who disparage fellow artists, including LuPone, from attending industry events “including the Tony Awards, fundraisers, and public programs.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2025

This caused perhaps the most publicized dissent against the Lazarus woodpecker, with op-ed pieces running weekly in the paper to disparage John Barling and his mob of birdwatcher friends.

From "Where Things Come Back" by John Corey Whaley

Vocabulary lists containing disparage

The Bill of Rights

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Grade 11, List 2

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All About That Baseless: Bad-Faith Accusations

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