derogate

Derogate is a verb with two principal senses. In everyday language, it means to belittle or disparage someone or something, thereby diminishing their value, reputation, or standing. In more formal or legal contexts, it means to lessen, diminish, or depart from a rule, principle, or right; to derogate from a law or treaty means to reduce its effect or withdraw some protections. The common construction is "derogate from" or, less often, "derogate to."

The word derives from Latin derogare, meaning to lessen or diminish, and has reached English via French and other intermediaries. The related adjective, derogatory, describes language or remarks that express a low opinion of someone or something. The noun form is derogation.

In law and public discourse, derogation often appears in discussions of rights and obligations, including temporary exemptions or reductions of rights during emergencies. Outside legal contexts, it describes acts or statements that damage or demean someone or something by implying inferiority. Usage tends toward formal or academic prose, and "derogatory" is more common in everyday speech when describing insulting or demeaning remarks.