Meaning & use

pejorative

adjective·Advanced

Expressing contempt or disapproval, especially through a word or phrase with negative connotations.

See it in a sentence

Calling someone cheap instead of frugal is a pejorative way of describing the same trait.

The term was once neutral but has taken on a pejorative meaning over time.

A note on using this word

Pejorative can also function as a noun for the offending word itself, as in that slur is a pejorative.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

complimentaryflattering

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