Pejorative
adjective
Used to express disapproval or criticism.
He used a pejorative term to describe his opponent.
Often appears as...
- pejorative term
- pejorative word
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
A word or term that is offensive or shows disapproval.
'Freak' is considered a pejorative by some people.
Often appears as...
- use a pejorative
- considered a pejorative
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Used to express disapproval or criticism.
He used a pejorative term to describe his opponent.
Often appears as...
- pejorative term
- pejorative word
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
A word or term that is offensive or shows disapproval.
'Freak' is considered a pejorative by some people.
Often appears as...
- use a pejorative
- considered a pejorative
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Implication
The word 'pejorative' suggests negativity and is used to diminish the subject it describes.
Referring to an old car as a 'hunk of junk' is pejorative.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Sensitivity
Some words are pejorative in certain cultures but not in others. It's important to know the cultural context.
The term 'gringo' can be pejorative in Latin American countries.
Pro Tip 3/3Subjectivity
What is considered pejorative can vary from person to person based on personal feelings or beliefs.
Calling someone 'thin' might be pejorative if it implies weakness.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Implication
The word 'pejorative' suggests negativity and is used to diminish the subject it describes.
Referring to an old car as a 'hunk of junk' is pejorative.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Sensitivity
Some words are pejorative in certain cultures but not in others. It's important to know the cultural context.
The term 'gringo' can be pejorative in Latin American countries.
Pro Tip 3/3Subjectivity
What is considered pejorative can vary from person to person based on personal feelings or beliefs.
Calling someone 'thin' might be pejorative if it implies weakness.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Implication
The word 'pejorative' suggests negativity and is used to diminish the subject it describes.
Referring to an old car as a 'hunk of junk' is pejorative.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Sensitivity
Some words are pejorative in certain cultures but not in others. It's important to know the cultural context.
The term 'gringo' can be pejorative in Latin American countries.
Pro Tip 3/3Subjectivity
What is considered pejorative can vary from person to person based on personal feelings or beliefs.
Calling someone 'thin' might be pejorative if it implies weakness.
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Video examples
Nicholas Negroponte: One...
a double meaning, which is really appropriate, because it's cheap, in the pejorative sense, as well as inexpensive. But if you take a different approach, and you think of very large-scale integration, very advanced materials, very advanced manufacturing -- so you're pouring chemicals in one end, iPods are spewing out the other --
Video examples
Compelling Models for...
we want to do this differently and the brief was to make it different raw hostile that's the term we came up with visceral granular truth and rather than not sugar-coated because that's a bit unfair and judgmental but or pejorative
Video examples
Mysteries of vernacular:...
was even called the Yankee. Over the years, Yankee transformed from a pirate's nickname into a general term of contempt. In 1758, British general James Wolfe used Yankee as a pejorative term for the colonists under his supervision.
Video examples
Nicholas Negroponte: One...
a double meaning, which is really appropriate, because it's cheap, in the pejorative sense, as well as inexpensive. But if you take a different approach, and you think of very large-scale integration, very advanced materials, very advanced manufacturing -- so you're pouring chemicals in one end, iPods are spewing out the other --
Video examples
Compelling Models for...
we want to do this differently and the brief was to make it different raw hostile that's the term we came up with visceral granular truth and rather than not sugar-coated because that's a bit unfair and judgmental but or pejorative
Video examples
Mysteries of vernacular:...
was even called the Yankee. Over the years, Yankee transformed from a pirate's nickname into a general term of contempt. In 1758, British general James Wolfe used Yankee as a pejorative term for the colonists under his supervision.
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Lake Bell
American Actress
What I think is sad about the rom-com genre is that it has adopted this pejorative title. I think the reason why there haven't been as many great ones is because we are fighting against the genre itself. If it is a romantic comedy then snuggle up to the fact that it can be a really earnest, refreshing feeling to feel good after a movie.
Quote examples
John Ridley
American Director
There are any number of very hard working people in Hollywood who deserve recognition. Mostly its the artisans and crafts persons - the 'below the line' workers - whose only reward is to be pejoratively labeled 'below the line' workers. I say get them all on the next thing smoking to Vegas for an all expense paid weekend of whatever.
Quote examples
Christopher Nolan
British Director
The term 'genre' eventually becomes pejorative because you're referring to something that's so codified and ritualised that it ceases to have the power and meaning it had when it first started.
Quote examples
Amy Poehler
American Comedian
I just love bossy women. I could be around them all day. To me, bossy is not a pejorative term at all. It means somebody's passionate and engaged and ambitious and doesn't mind leading.
Quote examples
Josh Gondelman
American Author
I think the term 'Twitter comedian' can seem like a pejorative because it's not a job, really, and there's such a low barrier for entry to get started.
Quote examples
Judy Sheindlin
American Lawyer
I resent it when any part of the government refers to people who have money in the pejorative.
Quote examples
Penelope Keith
British Actress
I think it is very sad that 'sitcom' has become a pejorative term.
Quote examples
Michael Steele
American Politician
You know, conservatism is not a bad thing. It's not a pejorative.
Quote examples
Ross Douthat
American Author
I don't think of 'heretic' as a pejorative term - necessarily.
Quote examples
Anand Mahindra
Indian Businessman
The term 'niche' is no longer pejorative.
Quote examples
Lake Bell
American Actress
What I think is sad about the rom-com genre is that it has adopted this pejorative title. I think the reason why there haven't been as many great ones is because we are fighting against the genre itself. If it is a romantic comedy then snuggle up to the fact that it can be a really earnest, refreshing feeling to feel good after a movie.
Quote examples
John Ridley
American Director
There are any number of very hard working people in Hollywood who deserve recognition. Mostly its the artisans and crafts persons - the 'below the line' workers - whose only reward is to be pejoratively labeled 'below the line' workers. I say get them all on the next thing smoking to Vegas for an all expense paid weekend of whatever.
Quote examples
Christopher Nolan
British Director
The term 'genre' eventually becomes pejorative because you're referring to something that's so codified and ritualised that it ceases to have the power and meaning it had when it first started.
Quote examples
Amy Poehler
American Comedian
I just love bossy women. I could be around them all day. To me, bossy is not a pejorative term at all. It means somebody's passionate and engaged and ambitious and doesn't mind leading.
Quote examples
Josh Gondelman
American Author
I think the term 'Twitter comedian' can seem like a pejorative because it's not a job, really, and there's such a low barrier for entry to get started.
Quote examples
Judy Sheindlin
American Lawyer
I resent it when any part of the government refers to people who have money in the pejorative.
Quote examples
Penelope Keith
British Actress
I think it is very sad that 'sitcom' has become a pejorative term.
Quote examples
Michael Steele
American Politician
You know, conservatism is not a bad thing. It's not a pejorative.
Quote examples
Ross Douthat
American Author
I don't think of 'heretic' as a pejorative term - necessarily.
Quote examples
Anand Mahindra
Indian Businessman
The term 'niche' is no longer pejorative.
Example 1 of 10
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