disparaging

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'disparaging' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective used to describe language or behaviour that is insulting, unkind, or belittling. For example: His speech was full of disparaging remarks about the opposition.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But as well as being illiberal, most of the alternatives would probably create more trouble and anger than they prevent.Americans in glass housesFinally and for all the disparaging talk about Londonistan, capital of Eurabia other countries, including those where the disparagement of multiculturalism is sharpest, have less to teach Britain about integration than is often assumed.

The Economist

Nowadays, it is uncool for straight men to be disparaging about gay men".

The Guardian - Film

Nigel Farage, Ukip's leader, made three trips to the constituency during the four-week campaign, downing pints in local pubs, climbing aboard a tank and making disparaging remarks about Miliband, who visited the seat twice.

The Guardian

It called women who play sport as "beast-like women who play sport just so they can come out with us on Wednesdays" and made a number of disparaging remarks about "poly" students.

The Guardian

In this scene, we see her deal with his disparaging thoughts on education with passive-aggressive panache.

The Guardian - Film

On Wednesday I made a speech to the hearing — with Lord Leveson only yards away — in which I was somewhat disparaging of his ability when, as a young QC, he failed to win a conviction for tax evasion charges against Ken Dodd.

The Guardian

In November hundreds of medical students protested in Gonghe county against the circulation of a government leaflet disparaging the immolators and the Dalai Lama.

The Economist

IMAGINE what might have happened if, back in the 1880s, Thomas Edison had devoted his prodigious engineering talents to perfecting a direct-current transformer instead of wasting his energy disparaging the upstart alternating-current system from Europe that was being championed in America by George Westinghouse and his Serbian-American adviser, Nikola Tesla.

The Economist

But he has faced accusations of inappropriate sexual behaviour in the past, and once said he felt comfortable working at his factory in his underwear.War cryAmerica's office of trademarks cancelled the Washington Redskins trademark, because it reckons the team's name is "disparaging to native Americans" (the Redskins bit, not Washington).

The Economist

Pat McFadden, Labour's business spokesman, accused him of disparaging the private sector that the economic recovery depends on.

The Economist

Then, as now, the USPTO ruled favourably on a suit brought by several Native Americans who claimed the name Redskins was disparaging.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "disparaging" to clearly convey the intent to belittle or criticize something, ensuring the context aligns with the negative connotation. It adds a layer of intensity to criticism.

Common error

Avoid using "disparaging" when a neutral or objective description is needed. This word carries a strong negative connotation and can inappropriately color your writing. Consider alternatives like "critical" or "negative" if the aim isn't necessarily to demean.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "disparaging" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that conveys a negative or belittling opinion. Ludwig AI confirms its use in various contexts, indicating its role in expressing negative attitudes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

14%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "disparaging" is used to describe something that conveys a negative or belittling opinion. It is grammatically correct and very common in various contexts, mainly in news and media, and formal business communications. It is typically used to express disapproval, contempt, or a negative evaluation, and it's intent is to diminish the perceived value or importance of something. The word is best used to add intensity to criticism, and to avoid its overuse in neutral contexts. Alternatives include "belittling", "derogatory", and "demeaning". Ludwig AI confirms the accuracy and usability of "disparaging" in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

belittling

Focuses on making someone or something seem unimportant.

derogatory

Implies expressing a disrespectful attitude.

pejorative

Highlights the expression of disapproval or contempt.

demeaning

Emphasizes causing someone to lose dignity and respect.

deprecatory

Focuses on expressing disapproval or belittlement in a modest way.

slighting

Implies treating someone or something with disrespect or indifference.

critical

Focuses on expressing adverse or disapproving comments.

unflattering

Highlights making someone appear worse or less attractive than they really are.

negative

Emphasizes expressing disapproval or disagreement.

censorious

Implies being severely critical of others.

FAQs

How can I use "disparaging" in a sentence?

You can use "disparaging" to describe remarks, comments, or attitudes that belittle or show contempt. For example, "The candidate made "disparaging remarks" about his opponent."

What are some alternatives to using "disparaging"?

Depending on the context, you could use words like "belittling", "derogatory", or "demeaning" to convey similar meanings.

When is it appropriate to use "disparaging" in writing?

Use "disparaging" when you want to emphasize the act of expressing contempt or reducing the value of something. It is appropriate when the tone should clearly indicate disapproval or disrespect.

What's the difference between "disparaging" and "critical"?

"Disparaging" implies an intent to belittle or demean, whereas "critical" simply means expressing judgment or analysis, which may not necessarily be negative. One can be critical without being "disparaging".