1. the process by which a word gradually acquires a more negative or disapproving meaning over time
Usage: linguistics term; also called semantic deterioration or semantic degeneration

Examples

• The word 'silly' has undergone pejoration, shifting from meaning 'blessed' to meaning 'foolish.'
• Pejoration explains why 'villain' once referred to a farm laborer but now means an evil person.
• Linguists study pejoration to understand how social attitudes influence language change.
• The pejoration of the word 'naughty' shows how meanings can become more negative over centuries.
• Through pejoration, 'gossip' changed from simply meaning 'a godparent' to meaning 'idle talk.'