derogatory
adjective
Anthony Trollope
Did you know?
What is a derogatory Credit Report?
When derogatory first began to be used in English it had the meaning “detracting from the character or standing of something.” It comes from the verb derogate, which can be traced to the Latin word derogare (“to detract” or “to annul (a law)”). Derogatory quickly took on the additional meaning “disdainful, disparaging,” as may be seen in the word’s frequent use in “derogatory comment.” Derogatory is increasingly seen today in credit reports, although it should not be taken as a credit card company making unkind comments on the character of the cardholder. In this context it refers to something (such as a late payment, foreclosure, or bankruptcy) that will have a negative effect on a person’s credit score.
Examples of derogatory in a Sentence
Danny May et al., Berkshire Home Style, March 2007
In Powell's memoir, Lemann points out, terms like "expert" and "academic" are clearly derogatory.
—Franklin Foer, New Republic, 5 Feb. 2001
Unfortunately, the codes were badly explained and ham-handedly enforced. At Michigan an interpretive guide called "What Students Should Know … " went beyond the scope of the actual code in saying that even a derogatory comment … would be punished by the university.
—Laurence R. Stains, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 1993
fans made a steady stream of derogatory remarks about the players on the visiting team
Beth Bailey, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
Ye has been in a public spiral in recent months, frequently posting derogatory, days-long rants about Jewish people and even selling T-shirts branded with swastikas through his online store.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 19 Mar. 2025
The Los Angeles Police Department is facing a new scandal after a 10-year department veteran secretly recorded some of his fellow officers allegedly making derogatory and racist comments.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
Fans being escorted from the American Airlines Center for making derogatory comments about the trade.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derogatory
Cite this Entry
“Derogatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derogatory. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
derogatory
adjective
Share