deprecating
Putting something down
Deprecating means expressing disapproval or criticism, often mild or understated.
A deprecating remark belittles something or someone.
Self-deprecating humor makes fun of oneself: His self-deprecating jokes about his cooking put everyone at ease.
The word overlaps with deprecating's cousin depreciating, though purists distinguish between disapproval (deprecate) and diminishing value (depreciate).
Expressing negative judgment
- diminishingBecoming progressively less
- demeaningCausing loss of respect
- degradingLowering in worth
- dismissiveShowing contemptuous disregard
derogatory · pejorative · denigrating · reductive · minimizing · downplaying · undervaluing · trivializing
Showing open contempt
- scornfulShowing open contempt
- sneeringExpressing scorn facially
- contemptuousShowing open disrespect
- derisiveExpressing contemptuous ridicule
haughty · supercilious · condescending · patronizing · scathing · vituperative · insulting · withering
Inclined to jest
- teasingPlayful, mild ridicule
- wittyCleverly humorous
- tongue-in-cheekHumorously not meant literally
- playfulInclined toward fun
droll · facetious · banter · light-hearted · wry · whimsical · jesting · ribbing
Unassuming about oneself
- modestLacking in pretension
- unassumingNot making claims
- self-criticalJudging oneself harshly
- understatedDeliberately minimized in expression
diffident · sheepish · apologetic · meek
Formal institutional disapproval
- reproachExpression of disappointment
- disapprovalUnfavorable opinion expressed
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- admonishReprove with counsel
reprimand · reprove · criticize · denounce · decry · chastise · upbraid · castigate
Mocking through exaggeration
- sardonicGrimly mocking
- ironicExpressing contrary meaning
- sarcasticMockingly insincere in tone
- ridiculingMocking with contempt
taunting · jeering · jibing · lampooning · derision · caricaturing · parodying · sneering
disparaging
Expressing negative judgment
- diminishingBecoming progressively less
- demeaningCausing loss of respect
- degradingLowering in worth
dismissive · derogatory · pejorative · denigrating · reductive · minimizing · downplaying · undervaluing · trivializing · deflating
disdainful
Showing open contempt
- scornfulShowing open contempt
- sneeringExpressing scorn facially
- contemptuousShowing open disrespect
derisive · haughty · supercilious · condescending · patronizing · scathing · vituperative · insulting · withering · lordly
jocular
Inclined to jest
- teasingPlayful, mild ridicule
- wittyCleverly humorous
- tongue-in-cheekHumorously not meant literally
playful · droll · facetious · banter · light-hearted · wry · whimsical · jesting · ribbing · amusing
humble
Unassuming about oneself
- modestLacking in pretension
- unassumingNot making claims
- self-criticalJudging oneself harshly
understated · diffident · sheepish · apologetic · meek
censure
Formal institutional disapproval
- reproachExpression of disappointment
- disapprovalUnfavorable opinion expressed
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
admonish · reprimand · reprove · criticize · denounce · decry · chastise · upbraid · castigate · condemn
satirical
Mocking through exaggeration
ridiculing · taunting · jeering · jibing · lampooning · derision · caricaturing · parodying · sneering · cynical
- phasing outphasing out, sunsetting, discontinuing, retiring, decommissioning
- downplayingminimizing, downplay, trivializing, belittling, soft-pedal
deprecatingapproving
Expressing favorable judgment
complimentary · commending · praising · laudatory · complimenting
deprecatingboastful
Given to self-praise
bragging · self-aggrandizing · vainglorious · conceited · arrogant
deprecation, deprecative, self-deprecation, deprecatingly, self-deprecating