derogate
verb
transitive verb
intransitive verb
Oliver Goldsmith 
Did you know?
Most of us encounter derogatory, the adjective meaning "expressing a low opinion," more frequently than we do derogate, its less common verb relation, but the verb is older; it first appeared in English in the 15th century, while derogatory wasn't adopted until the early 16th. Both words can be traced back to the Late Latin word derogatus, which is the past participle of the verb derogare, meaning "to detract" or "to annul (a law)." Derogare, in turn, derives from the Latin word for "ask," rogāre. Other derogate relatives include derogative, derogation, and derogatorily.
Synonyms
- bad-mouth
- belittle
- cry down
- decry
- denigrate
- deprecate
- depreciate
- diminish
- dis [slang]
- diss
- discount
- dismiss
- disparage
- kiss off
- minimize
- play down
- poor-mouth
- put down
- run down
- talk down
- trash
- trash-talk
- vilipend
- write off
Example Sentences
Jack Greiner, Cincinnati.com, 28 Mar. 2018 Word History
Middle English, from Late Latin derogatus, past participle of derogare, from Latin, to annul (a law), detract, from de- + rogare to ask, propose (a law) — more at right
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Phrases Containing derogate
derogations
noun
Synonyms & Similar Words
- criticisms
- defamations
- condemnations
- abuses
- depreciations
- detractions
- denigrations
- disparagements
- deprecations
- diminishments
- vilifications
- calumnies
- libels
- censures
- denunciations
- ridicules
- belittlements
- slanders
- vituperations
- denouncements
- derisions
- aspersions
- put-downs
- invectives
- minimizations
- mockeries
- de-emphases
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- exaltations
- magnifications
- aggrandizements
- approvals
- glorifications
- praises
- acclaim
- blessings
- approbations
- commendations
- ennoblements
- pufferies
- hypes