# disparaging

/dɪˈspɛɹɪdʒɪŋ/ (US) · /dɪspˈæɹɪdʒɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/disparaging
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

to say something mean or rude about someone or something to make them look bad. You use this when you want to show that you think very little of a person or an idea.

For teachers: to express a low opinion of someone or something in a manner that is intended to be offensive or belittling. Often used in legal or formal contexts to describe speech that damages a person's reputation.

## Examples

- He was accused of disparaging his former employer on social media.
- The lawyer argued that the witness's comments were disparaging and should be excluded from the trial.
- The CEO faced a lawsuit after making several disparaging remarks about the company's competitors during a live interview, leading to a significant drop in the firm's stock price.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.