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Disparage vs Compliment - What's the difference?

disparage | compliment |

As nouns the difference between disparage and compliment

is that disparage is (obsolete) inequality in marriage; marriage with an inferior while compliment is an expression of praise, congratulation, encouragement, or respect.

As verbs the difference between disparage and compliment

is that disparage is to match unequally; to degrade or dishonor while compliment is (ambitransitive) to pay a compliment (to); to express a favorable opinion (of).

disparage

English

Noun

(-)
  • (obsolete) Inequality in marriage; marriage with an inferior.
  • * 1596 , (Edmund Spenser), The Faerie Queene , IV.8:
  • But, for his meane degree might not aspire / To match so high, her friends with counsell sage / Dissuaded her from such a disparage […].

    Verb

    (disparag)
  • To match unequally; to degrade or dishonor.
  • To dishonor by a comparison with what is inferior; to lower in rank or estimation by actions or words; to speak slightingly of; to depreciate; to undervalue.
  • * Bishop Atterbury
  • those forbidding appearances which sometimes disparage the actions of men sincerely pious
  • * Milton
  • Thou durst not thus disparage glorious arms.
  • To ridicule, mock, discredit.
  • See also

    * vilipend * belittle * denigrate * excoriate

    compliment

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl), from (etyl) complire, from (etyl) complere

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An expression of praise, congratulation, encouragement, or respect.
  • * Milton
  • Tedious waste of time, to sit and hear / So many hollow compliments and lies.
  • * Cowper
  • many a compliment politely penned
  • (uncountable) Complimentary language; courtesy, flattery.
  • *
  • This accomplished man condescended to think of a young girl, and take the pains to talk to her, not with absurd compliment , but with an appeal to her understanding, and sometimes with instructive correction.
  • Synonyms
    * See also
    Antonyms
    *insult
    Derived terms
    * backhanded compliment * left-handed compliment * with compliments

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl), from (etyl) complimento'' (etyl) ''cumplimiento'', from ''cumplir'', from ''complire'', from (etyl) ''complere .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (ambitransitive) To pay a compliment (to); to express a favorable opinion (of).
  • * Prior
  • Monarchs should their inward soul disguise; / Should compliment their foes and shun their friends.
  • Antonyms
    *insult