Legal Definitions - disparagement

Definition: Disparagement refers to the act of belittling or criticizing someone or something unfairly or untruthfully. It can also refer to a false and damaging statement that harms the reputation of a person, product, or business.

• When the politician made a disparaging remark about his opponent's intelligence, he was engaging in disparagement.
• The company's sales suffered after a competitor spread false rumors about the quality of their products, which is an example of trade disparagement.
• By calling her coworker lazy and incompetent, the boss was guilty of workplace disparagement.

These examples illustrate how disparagement can take many forms, from personal attacks to false statements that harm a business's reputation. In each case, the goal is to undermine or damage the target's reputation or credibility.