1
Core action
Speak of someone or something in a belittling, dismissive, or disrespectful way.
Example
The review criticises the method without disparaging its authors.
disparage
/dɪˈspærɪdʒ/ · dih-SPAR-ijverb
Speak of someone or something in a belittling, dismissive, or disrespectful way.
Use disparage to express this relationship precisely: speak of someone or something in a belittling, dismissive, or disrespectful way.
What disparage Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common construction
Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.
Example
He repeatedly disparaged the work of younger scholars.
3
Reasoning effect
It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.
Example
The advertisement disparages competing products rather than presenting evidence.
Use disparage Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The review criticises the method without disparaging its authors.
He repeatedly disparaged the work of younger scholars.
The advertisement disparages competing products rather than presenting evidence.
Precision Matters
Disparage overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
disparage
vs.Means speak of someone or something in a belittling, dismissive, or disrespectful way.
denigrate
Means criticise unfairly or disparage someone or something in a way that damages reputation or value.
disparage
vs.Means speak of someone or something in a belittling, dismissive, or disrespectful way.
deride
Means mock, ridicule, or treat someone or something with contempt.
disparage
vs.Means speak of someone or something in a belittling, dismissive, or disrespectful way.
extol
Means praise someone or something enthusiastically and publicly.
disparage
vs.Means speak of someone or something in a belittling, dismissive, or disrespectful way.
acclaim
Means enthusiastic and public praise.
Test disparage in Context
The columnist belittles the researchers rather than rebutting their findings.
1
Instead of addressing the evidence, the columnist tried to ___ the researchers as inexperienced.