Derogatory (adj): disapproving; degrading

Derogatory remarks are negative remarks expressing disapproval.

Desiccate (V): to dry out

The hot wind desiccated the few grapes remaining on the vine

Desiccation(n)

Despondent (adj): extremely depressed; full of despair

After the losing game, the players became despondent.

Despot (n): an absolute ruler; an autocrat

Stephen was a despot; workers who disagreed with him were fired.

Despotic ( adj): Despotic government

Destitute (adj) extremely poor; utterly lacking

Destitute people are people who don’t have, or severely lack, money and possessions.

Desultory (adj): without a plan or purpose; disconnected; random

The discussion at our meeting was desultory; no one’s comments seemed to bear any relation to anyone else’s.

Dexterous (adj) skillful, adroit

Dexterous often, but not always, connotes physical ability. Like adroit, it comes from the Latin word for right (as in the direction), because right-handed people were once considered physically and mentally superior.

Dialectical (adj): relating to discussions; relating to the rules and methods of reasoning; approaching truth in the middle of opposing extremes.

Dialectic (n)

Dictum (n): authoritative saying; an adage; a maxim; a proverb

‘No pain, no gain’, is a hackneyed dictum of sadistic coaches everywhere.

Didactic (adj): intended to teach, morally instructive; pedantic

Natalia’s seemingly amusing talk had a didactic purpose; she was trying to show her listeners the difference between right and wrong.

Diffident (adj): timid, lacking in self-confidence

Diffident and confident are opposites

The diffident student never made a single comment in class.

Digress (v) to stray from the main subject

Speaking metaphorically, to digress is to leave the main highway in order to travel aimlessly on back roads. When a speaker digresses, he or she departs from the main topic and tells a story only distantly related to it.

 A lengthy digression,..

Dilettante (n) someone with superficial knowledge of the arts; an amateur, a dabbler

To be a dilettante is to dabble in something rather than doing it in serious way.

Discern (V): to have insight, to see things clearly; to discriminate; to differentiate.

To discern something is to perceive it clearly.

Discreet (adj): prudent; judiciously reserved

To make discreet inquiries is to ask around without letting the whole world know you are doing it.

Discrete (adj): unconnected; separate, distinct

Do not confuse discrete with discreet

Indiscrete (adj): up together

Discriminate (V) : to notice or point out the difference between two or more things; to discern; to differentiate

Discrimination (n)

Disdain (n) : arrogant scorn, contempt

The billionaire looked upon the poor workers with evident disdain.

Disinterested (adj) not taking sides, unbiased

Disinterested should not be used to mean uninterested.

Disparage (v): to belittle; to say uncomplimentary things about, usually in a somewhat indirect way.

The mayor disparaged our efforts to beautify the town square when she said the flower bed we had planted looked somewhat worse than bed of weeds it had replaced.