Disparage - Definitions from Dictionary.com

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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

dis·par·age

Audio Help [di-spar-ij] Pronunciation Key

–verb (used with object), -aged, -ag·ing.

1.	to speak of or treat slightingly; depreciate; belittle: Do not disparage good manners.

2.	to bring reproach or discredit upon; lower the estimation of: Your behavior will disparage the whole family.

[Origin: 1250–1300; ME < AF, OF desparag(i)er to match unequally, equiv. to des- dis-¹ + -parag(i)er, deriv. of parage equality, equiv. to par(er) to equalize (< L parāre; see peer¹) + -age -age

]

—Related forms

dis·par·ag·er, noun

—Synonyms 1. ridicule, discredit, mock, demean, denounce, derogate.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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Disparage

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

dis·par·age Audio Help (dĭ-spār'ĭj) Pronunciation Key
tr.v. dis·par·aged, dis·par·ag·ing, dis·par·ag·es

To speak of in a slighting or disrespectful way; belittle. See Synonyms at decry.
To reduce in esteem or rank.

[Middle English disparagen, to degrade, from Old French desparager : des-, dis- + parage, high birth (from per, peer; see peer²).]

dis·par'age·ment n., dis·par'ag·er n., dis·par'ag·ing·ly adv.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
disparage

c.1315, from O.Fr. desparagier "reduce in rank, degrade," originally "to cause to marry unequally," and thus by extension the disgrace or dishonor involved in this, from des- "away" + parage "rank, lineage" (see peerage). Sense of "belittle" first recorded 1536.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

disparage
verb
express a negative opinion of; "She disparaged her student's efforts" [ant: blandish]

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Disparage

De*cry"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decried; p. pr. & vb. n. Decrying.] [F. d['e]crier, OF. descrier; pref. des- (L. dis-) + crier to cry. See Cry, and cf. Descry.] To cry down; to censure as faulty, mean, or worthless; to clamor against; to blame clamorously; to discredit; to disparage.

For small errors they whole plays decry. --Dryden.

Measures which are extolled by one half of the kingdom are naturally decried by the other. --Addison.

Syn: To Decry, Depreciate, Detract, Disparage.

Usage: Decry and depreciate refer to the estimation of a thing, the former seeking to lower its value by clamorous censure, the latter by representing it as of little worth. Detract and disparage also refer to merit or value, which the former assails with caviling, insinuation, etc., while the latter willfully underrates and seeks to degrade it. Men decry their rivals and depreciate their measures. The envious detract from the merit of a good action, and disparage the motives of him who performs it.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Disparage

Dis*par"age\ (?; 48), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Disparaged; p. pr. & vb. n. Disparaging.] [OF. desparagier, F. d['e]parager, to marry unequally; pref. des- (L. dis-) + F. parage extraction, lineage, from L. par equal, peer. See Peer.]

1. To match unequally; to degrade or dishonor by an unequal marriage. [Obs.]

Alas! that any of my nation Should ever so foul disparaged be. --Chaucer.

2. To dishonor by a comparison with what is inferior; to lower in rank or estimation by actions or words; to speak slightingly of; to depreciate; to undervalue.

Those forbidding appearances which sometimes disparage the actions of men sincerely pious. --Bp. Atterbury.

Thou durst not thus disparage glorious arms. --Milton.

Syn: To decry; depreciate; undervalue; underrate; cheapen; vilify; reproach; detract from; derogate from; degrade; debase. See Decry.

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