What does disparage mean?
Word: Disparage
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Disparage means to speak about someone or something as if they are not important or not good.
Synonyms: belittle, criticise, mock, run down
Antonyms: compliment, appreciate
How do you spell disparage?
Syllables: dis - par - age
Tricky part: The word ends in age, not idge or ige: disparidge is a common slip.
Watch out for: disparidge, disparege, disparadge
Memory tip: If you disparage people, you say they are not on a par with you.
Disparage in a sentence
Example 1: Good sportspersons never disparage their opponents.
Example 2: He would often disparage his sister's cooking, though he ate every bite.
Example 3: The article disparaged the new metro line before it had even opened.
Fun Fact
The word comes from an Old French verb meaning to marry someone of lower rank; the par in the middle comes from a word for equal rank or birth.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the word opposite in meaning to disparage as used in the sentence:
It is unfair to disparage a classmate's efforts just because the project did not win a prize.
a) praise
b) question
c) compare
d) ignore
Show answer
a) praise. Speaking well of the project, praising it, is the reverse of running it down.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
Some critics were quick to garpsiade the young author's first novel, but readers loved it and it sold out within a month.
a) disparate
b) discharge
c) disparage
d) despair
Show answer
c) disparage. Disparate needs a t, discharge a c and an h, and despair leaves out an a and the g; critics running down a novel disparage it.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one word in the list is misspelt. Choose the meaning of that word.
1. dissparage 2. encourage 3. average 4. discourage
a) give support and confidence
b) the usual or middle amount
c) speak of someone as unimportant or bad
d) make someone less willing to do something
Show answer
c) speak of someone as unimportant or bad. Dissparage has one s too many; disparage, to belittle, is the word meant.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which remark disparages someone's work?
a) "Anyone could draw that in five minutes."
b) "Where did you buy the paper?"
c) "May I see your drawing?"
d) "Your drawing has lovely colours."
Show answer
a) "Anyone could draw that in five minutes."
2. A coach who disparages his players is likely to make them feel ____.
a) calm and rested
b) proud and confident
c) small and unappreciated
d) eager and excited
Show answer
c) small and unappreciated
