Disparaging
Disparaging adjective - Intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value.
Usage example: disparaging comments about the lack of talent among the musical performers
Mean and disparaging are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Mean" instead an adjective "Disparaging".
Mean
Mean adjective - Having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it.
Usage example: a mean, embittered old woman who wanted company for her misery
Disparaging and mean are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Disparaging" instead an adjective "Mean".
Both words in one sentence
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He was Raised Catholic, though what his public statements favoring Catholicism meant versus private ones disparaging it (and Christianity) mean is hard to say.
Source: Association Fallacy -
Sometimes the new usages become mainstream; when was the last time you heard someone (who wasn't trying to be funny — and likely failing) use "gay" to mean anything other than "homosexual" or as a disparaging term?
Source: You Keep Using That Word
Cite this Source
Mean and Disparaging. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 13, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/disparaging/mean
Disparaging & Mean. N.p., 2016. Web. 13 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/disparaging/mean>.
Mean or Disparaging. 2016. Accessed August 13, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/disparaging/mean.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "disparaging" and "mean" have occurred on timeline