disparage him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disparage him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to speaking about someone in a way that belittles or criticizes them. Example: "It's not right to disparage him just because he made a mistake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Though some shadow cabinet colleagues disparage him in private, he is safe in his job.

The Economist

Since the public-sector unions were pouring out money to disparage him, Mr Schwarzenegger had to turn to the right to raise money to fight back.

The Economist

He said he had complained about not receiving the money and eventually decided to resign when the Dominican lawyer started to disparage him.

The New York Times

I do not mean to disparage him when I say that he has produced a pamphlet rather than a book that will last.

The Guardian - Books

In fact, Selma was LBJ's idea, he considered the Voting Rights Act his greatest legislative achievement, he viewed King as an essential partner in getting it enacted — and he didn't use the FBI to disparage him.

The New Yorker

Rather than try to remake him into someone he is not, the challenge for all of us is to appreciate and adapt to his differences, love him for who he is and not disparage him for what he is not.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

First, the company, which makes cameras and other electronic gear, defended itself and disparaged him.

The Economist

The academic establishment in Bologna, a university town, disparaged him until late in his career.

The New Yorker

In an e-mail, a former colleague disparaged him as a "one trick pony with Elan".

The New Yorker

They also dismissed his claims about his intelligence network and disparaged him as a leader.

The New York Times - Magazine

The women's runner-up, Maria Sharapova, inadvertently disparaged him on Saturday when she said that Serena Williams served as hard as Ferrer did.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "disparage him" when you want to convey a sense of belittling or criticizing someone, often unfairly or with malicious intent. Be mindful of the context to ensure the phrase accurately reflects the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "disparage him" in extremely formal or academic writing where more neutral or objective language is preferred. Consider alternatives like "criticize him" or "challenge his views" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disparage him" functions as a verb phrase, where "disparage" is the verb and "him" is the object pronoun. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It expresses the action of belittling or criticizing someone.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "disparage him" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that means to belittle or criticize someone, often with malicious intent. As confirmed by Ludwig, its primary function is to express disapproval, most frequently found in news and media contexts. While generally neutral, writers should consider the specific context to avoid overuse in overly formal settings. Alternatives such as "criticize him" or "belittle him" may be more appropriate depending on the intended tone. Overall, understanding the nuances of "disparage him" ensures accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

criticize him

Focuses on expressing disapproval or finding fault, without necessarily implying malicious intent.

belittle him

Emphasizes making someone seem unimportant or insignificant.

denigrate him

Stresses the act of unfairly criticizing or discrediting someone.

speak ill of him

A more general phrase referring to saying negative things about someone.

run him down

Suggests a more aggressive and persistent form of criticism.

defame him

Focuses on damaging someone's reputation through false statements.

smear him

Implies a deliberate attempt to damage someone's reputation.

malign him

Indicates speaking harmful untruths about someone.

cast aspersions on him

Suggests making insinuations or indirect attacks on someone's character.

undermine him

Focuses on weakening his position or authority.

FAQs

What does "disparage him" mean?

To "disparage him" means to speak about someone in a way that belittles, criticizes, or shows a lack of respect. It often implies an attempt to undermine their reputation or character.

What are some alternatives to "disparage him"?

You can use alternatives such as "criticize him", "belittle him", or "denigrate him", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How is "disparage him" different from simply criticizing someone?

"Disparage him" implies a stronger, often unfair or malicious intent to belittle or undermine someone, whereas simply criticizing someone may be a more objective or constructive assessment.

Is it appropriate to use "disparage him" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "disparage him" might be too strong for some formal contexts. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "challenge his views" or "question his actions" in those situations.