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.

He knew not to contradict him or ever say anything disparaging about Staten Island.

From Literature

Kates also advised Epstein to “lay very low and quiet” and disparaged those who had distanced themselves from him.

From The Wall Street Journal

Warsh regularly disparages such models and the “economics guild” that developed them.

From The Wall Street Journal

And they are starting work with a new wind tunnel and driver-in-the-loop simulator, about which Newey was pretty disparaging last spring.

From BBC

Other research has been disparaged for not using proper quality-control measures.

From Barron's