disparagement
gb/dɪspɚɪd͡ʒmənt/ us/dɪspɚɪd͡ʒmənt/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
action
1
belittling criticism or disrespectful talk
unkind talk that makes someone or something seem less good or less important
Usage pattern:
disparagement of [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Often confused with disparity (difference) or discrimination (unfair treatment). Disparagement is about negative talk or comments.
Synonyms
denigration (Very close in meaning; emphasizes damaging someone’s reputation.)
|
belittling (Focuses on making someone/something seem small or unimportant.)
|
derogation (More formal; often refers to lowering status or respect.)
Antonyms
praise (Positive speech that expresses approval or admiration.)
|
respect (An attitude or behavior showing high regard rather than belittling.)
Collocations
disparagement of women
|disparagement of colleagues
|public disparagement
|constant disparagement
|open disparagement
|unwarranted disparagement
|verbal disparagement
|campaign of disparagement
|subject someone to disparagement
|avoid disparagement
Themes
communication
|conflict
|emotions
|society
Examples
- The manager warned the team that personal disparagement would not be tolerated.
- She grew tired of the constant disparagement of her work in meetings.
- The article crossed the line from criticism into disparagement.
Learner examples
- His comments felt like disparagement.
- I don’t like the disparagement of my friends.
Noun
formal
C1
entity
2
a remark that belittles
a rude or unfair comment about someone or something
Usage pattern:
a disparagement about [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners may treat this as countable without an article; in this sense it is often used with a/an (a disparagement) or in the plural (disparagements), though the uncountable sense is more common overall.
Synonyms
put-down (More informal; often quick and pointed.)
|
insult (Broader; may be abusive rather than merely belittling.)
|
slight (Often subtler or less direct than disparagement.)
Antonyms
compliment (A positive remark expressing approval.)
Collocations
a disparagement about someone
|a disparagement of someone
|personal disparagements
|casual disparagements
|a cruel disparagement
|a needless disparagement
|a public disparagement
|respond to disparagements
Themes
communication
|relationships
Examples
- He slipped in a disparagement about her accent and then changed the subject.
- The speech contained several disparagements aimed at rival candidates.
- Even as a joke, that kind of disparagement can hurt people.
Learner examples
- That was a disparagement about my job.
- Please don’t make disparagements about people’s looks.
Noun
legal
C2
abstract
3
legal harm to business reputation
in law, harmful statements that can damage a business or product
Usage pattern:
disparagement of [product/title/business]
Common mistake:
Often mixed up with defamation; disparagement commonly focuses on harm to products, business interests, or property rights rather than personal reputation.
Synonyms
trade libel (Common legal label for disparaging statements about a business’s goods or services.)
|
injurious falsehood (Legal term emphasizing the falsity and the resulting economic harm.)
Antonyms
endorsement (Public approval that supports reputation or sales rather than harming them.)
Collocations
claim of disparagement
|action for disparagement
|alleged disparagement
|disparagement of a product
|disparagement of title
|commercial disparagement
|prove disparagement
|damages for disparagement
Themes
law
|business
|media
Examples
- The company threatened a lawsuit for disparagement after the competitor’s ad made false claims about its product.
- Their attorney argued that the statements amounted to disparagement and caused measurable losses.
- The settlement included language addressing potential disparagement of the brand.
Learner examples
- In some cases, disparagement can lead to a lawsuit.
Grammar
Dictionary form
disparagement
IPA
GB/dɪspɚɪd͡ʒmənt/
US/dɪspɚɪd͡ʒmənt/
Syllables & stress
dis - par - age - ment (4 syllables)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: disparagement
- Plural: disparagement, disparagements
Word family
Forms
disparagements
noun
Core family
disparage
verb C1
disparaging
adjective
Related words
disparagingly
adverb C1
Negative and opposite forms
praise
noun B1
Expressions
disparagement of title
1/dɪspɚɪd͡ʒmənt əv tˈaɪtəl/
fixed phrase
legal
false claim harming property ownership
a legal claim about false statements that harm property ownership rights
Examples
- The developer alleged disparagement of title after a false lien was recorded.
- Her lawyer argued that the public statement amounted to disparagement of title and blocked the sale.
- The court required evidence that the false claim caused a measurable loss for disparagement of title.
in disparagement of
1/ˈɪn dɪspɚɪd͡ʒmənt əv/
fixed phrase
formal
speaking critically of
used to say you are criticizing someone or something
Examples
- She said nothing in disparagement of her predecessor.
- The review was frank but not written in disparagement of the author.
- He spoke in disparagement of the plan without offering an alternative.
non-disparagement agreement
1/nˈɑn dɪspɚɪd͡ʒmənt əɡɹˈimənt/
fixed phrase
legal
agreement not to criticize publicly
a legal agreement to not say negative things about someone
Examples
- As part of the exit package, he signed a non-disparagement agreement.
- They refused to sign a non-disparagement agreement that restricted personal statements.
- The spokesperson said the parties remain bound by a non-disparagement agreement.
non-disparagement clause
1/nˈɑn dɪspɚɪd͡ʒmənt klˈɔz/
fixed phrase
legal
contract term banning negative talk
a contract rule that says you cannot criticize the other side publicly
Examples
- The settlement included a non-disparagement clause covering social media posts.
- Her lawyer advised her to read the non-disparagement clause carefully before signing.
- The company said the former employee violated the non-disparagement clause in the agreement.
product disparagement
1/pɹˈɑdʌkt dɪspɚɪd͡ʒmənt/
fixed phrase
legal
legal claim over false product criticism
a legal claim about harmful false statements about a product
Examples
- The brand filed a complaint alleging product disparagement in the competitor’s campaign.
- The court required proof of loss before allowing the product disparagement claim to proceed.
- Their lawyer argued that the statement was opinion, not product disparagement.
trade disparagement
1/tɹˈeɪd dɪspɚɪd͡ʒmənt/
fixed phrase
legal
legal harm to business goods/services
a legal case about harmful statements that damage a business
Examples
- The suit included a trade disparagement claim based on the rival’s allegations.
- They settled to avoid the cost of litigating trade disparagement.
- The judge dismissed the trade disparagement count for lack of evidence of damages.