disparage

Verb

WordNet 3.0

Verb (1)

express a negative opinion of“She disparaged her student's efforts”Synonyms: belittle pick at

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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.] [1913 Webster]

Alas! that any of my nation Should ever so foul disparaged be.— Chaucer.[1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Those forbidding appearances which sometimes disparage the actions of men sincerely pious.— Bp. Atterbury.[1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Disparage \Dis"pa*rage`\, n. Inequality in marriage; marriage with an inferior. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

Dissuaded her from such a disparage. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]