Vocabulary in context
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Disparage
To speak of or treat someone or something with contempt or demeaning language; to belittle or devalue.
verb💡
Imagine This
When the garbage company went on strike, garbage piled up and started to smell, customers began to complain and talked down to the company. If your boss always bosses you around, wouldn’t you feel belittled?
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Sounds Like
This garbage
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Looks Like
Disparity (difference); Asparagus (the vegetable)
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Remember This
Disparage means to belittle or devalue someone or something. It is not the same as disparity (a difference) and often appears in criticism or negative commentary.
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Other Forms
disparagingadjective
disparaginglyadverb
disparagementnoun
disparagernoun
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Note
Use with an object: disparage someone or disparage something. Disparaging describes the act; disparagingly describes the manner. Be careful not to confuse with depreciate (financial value).
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The editor disparaged the novel as derivative and dull.
- During the debate, one candidate tried to disparage the opponent's accomplishments.
Synonyms
belittledeprecatedenigratedecryminimize
Antonyms
praiseextolcommend
Etymology
From Old French desparager 'to degrade, decry', from des- 'down' + parage 'rank, status' (related to parage, rank or birth).
Mnemonic
Disparage: dis + par + age. Remember that to disparage is to place someone below par (below standard); imagine a scorecard where the score is downgraded below par to remember the meaning.
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Refute
verbTo prove a statement or theory false or incorrect; to deny the validity of something through evidence or logical argument.
Profundity
nounThe depth of thought, feeling, or significance; the quality of being deeply insightful or meaningful.
Inane
adjectiveLacking sense or meaning; silly, foolish, or pointless.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Belittle
verbTo make someone or something seem less important, impressive, or valuable than they actually are; to disparage or minimize the value or contributions of someone or something.
Deprecate
verbTo express disapproval of something; to condemn or belittle.
Decry
verbTo publicly condemn or denounce something; to express strong disapproval of a policy, action, or idea.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
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