What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
disparage
Example
He disparaged her achievements, saying they were nothing compared to his own. [disparaged: verb]
Example
The article was full of disparaging remarks about the company's products. [disparaging: adjective]
denigrate
Example
The politician denigrated his opponent's record, accusing him of corruption and incompetence. [denigrated: verb]
Example
Her work was denigrated by her colleagues, who claimed it lacked originality and depth. [denigrated: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Disparage is more common than denigrate in everyday language, and is more versatile in terms of usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between disparage and denigrate?
Both disparage and denigrate are formal words that are typically used in serious or professional contexts, such as academic writing, journalism, or legal documents.
