Read the sentence.

The shopkeeper smiled at David as if he were just telling a joke, but his disparaging comments made David feel insulted and embarrassed.

Based on context clues in the sentence, what is the most likely meaning of disparaging? Select two options.

a) uplifting

b) funny

c) belittling

d) uncomplimentary

e) hilarious

C. belittling and D. uncomplimentary

c) belittling

d) uncomplimentary

The context clues in this sentence are "insulted and embarrassed." These two words have a negative connotation. Therefore, disparaging must also have a negative connotation. Any positive definitions should be immediately eliminated. This leaves belittling and uncomplimentary as the only two choices because they are both negative as well.