disparaging
Speaking ill of
Disparaging means belittling or expressing contempt for something or someone.
A disparaging remark suggests the subject is unworthy of respect.
She made disparaging comments about his cooking.
The word often appears in legal and journalistic contexts: anchor baby (used disparagingly).
To disparage is to speak slightingly of; disparagement is the noun.
Hostile dismissive feeling
- disdainScornful disregard
- sneerScornful expression
- disrespectLack of regard
- spurnRefuse with contempt
loathe · despise · haughtiness · superciliousness · condescension · arrogance · contumely · derision
To make smaller
- undermineWeaken by stealth
- deprecateExpress earnest disapproval
- devalueReduce perceived worth
- downplayDiminish perceived importance
minimize · trivialize · demean · degrade · denigrate · discredit · deflate · underrate
Contemptuous mocking treatment
- mockeryScornful ridicule or travesty
- satireMockery exposing vice
- sarcasmIrony used to mock
- parodySatirical imitation
caricature · lampoon · taunt · jeer · jibe · scoff · deride · snide
Spoken false defamation
- libelPrinted defamation
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
- calumnyMalicious false statement
aspersion · slur · insult · smear · mudslinging · character assassination · badmouthing · trash talk
Formal institutional disapproval
- reproachExpression of disappointment
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
- denunciationFormal public accusation
criticism · castigation · disapproval · reproof · admonishment · excoriation · lambasting · panning
scorn
Hostile dismissive feeling
- disdainScornful disregard
- sneerScornful expression
- disrespectLack of regard
spurn · loathe · despise · haughtiness · superciliousness · condescension · arrogance · contumely · derision · scornful
diminish
To make smaller
downplay · minimize · trivialize · demean · degrade · denigrate · discredit · deflate · underrate · underestimate
ridicule
Contemptuous mocking treatment
parody · caricature · lampoon · taunt · jeer · jibe · scoff · deride · snide · sardonic
slander
Spoken false defamation
- libelPrinted defamation
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
calumny · aspersion · slur · insult · smear · mudslinging · character assassination · badmouthing · trash talk · name-calling
censure
Formal institutional disapproval
- reproachExpression of disappointment
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
denunciation · criticism · castigation · disapproval · reproof · admonishment · excoriation · lambasting · panning · savaging
- disrespectinsulting, belittling, demeaning, mocking, ridiculing
- shamingshaming, humiliating, disgracing, dishonoring, degrading
- vilificationvilification, vilifying, demonizing, demonisation, demonize
- downplayingminimizing, downplay, trivializing, belittling, soft-pedal
- harsh tonesharsh, sharp, biting, cutting, caustic
- reproachesblaming, scolding, rebuking, reprimanding, censuring
disparagingcomplimentary
Free or expressing praise
praising · laudatory · flattering · commendatory · approving
disparagingadmiring
Feeling respect and approval
respectful · reverential · deferential · honoring · venerating