Derogate

/ˈdɛɹəɡeɪt/ · verb

Meaning

(transitive) To partially repeal (a law etc.)..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive) To partially repeal (a law etc.).
2. (transitive) To detract from (something); to disparage, belittle.
3. (ambitransitive) To take away (something from something else) in a way which leaves it lessened.
4. (intransitive) To detract from (a quality of excellence, authority etc.).
5. (intransitive) To act in a manner below oneself; to debase oneself.
6. (obsolete, as a participle) Derogated, annulled in part.
7. (archaic) Debased, deteriorated.

Example Sentences

By several contrary customs, […] many of the civil and canon laws are controlled and derogated.

I never thought the human frailty of erring in cases of religion, infamy to a state, no more than to a council: it had therefore been neither civil nor christianly, to derogate the honour of the state for that cause [...].

When the need for self-affirmation is satisfied through other means, one is less compelled to derogate members of negatively stereotyped groups.

Bandura (1990) gave a related example of gas chamber operators in Nazi prison camps, who found it necessary to derogate and dehumanize their victims rather than become overwhelmed by distress.

Anything […] that should derogate, minish, or hurt his glory and his name.

It derogates little from his fortitude, while it adds infinitely to the honor of his humanity.

In doing so she had derogated from her dignity and committed herself.

God does not have the attributes of a Christian Providence, for it would derogate from His perfection to think about anything except what is perfect, i.e. Himself.

Synonyms for derogate

Antonyms for derogate

Related Words

Word Forms

• derogates
• derogating
• derogated
• more derogate
• most derogate

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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