denigrate
verb
den·i·grate ˈde-ni-ˌgrāt 
denigrated; denigrating
transitive verb
1
: to attack the reputation of : defame
denigrate one's opponents
2
: to deny the importance or validity of : belittle
denigrate their achievements
denigration
ˌde-ni-ˈgrā-shən
noun denigrative
ˈde-ni-ˌgrā-tiv
adjective denigrator
ˈde-ni-ˌgrā-tər
noun denigratory
ˈde-ni-grə-ˌtȯr-ē
adjective 
Did you know?
If you "denigrate" someone, you attempt to blacken their reputation. It makes sense, therefore, that "denigrate" can be traced back to the Latin verb denigrare, meaning "to blacken." When "denigrate" was first used in English in the 16th century, it meant to cast aspersions on someone's character or reputation. Eventually, it developed a second sense of "to make black" ("factory smoke denigrated the sky"), but this sense is somewhat rare in modern usage. Nowadays, of course, "denigrate" can also refer to belittling the worth or importance of someone or something.
Synonyms
- bad-mouth
- belittle
- cry down
- decry
- deprecate
- depreciate
- derogate
- diminish
- dis [slang]
- diss
- discount
- dismiss
- disparage
- kiss off
- minimize
- play down
- poor-mouth
- put down
- run down
- talk down
- trash
- trash-talk
- vilipend
- write off
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Her story denigrates him as a person and as a teacher. No one is trying to denigrate the importance of a good education. We all know that it is crucial for success. denigrating the talents and achievements of women
Recent Examples on the Web This column is not meant to denigrate Camping World Stadium. 
Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2022 By pointing to Bam Adebayo as the most likely successor to carry the Heat’s torch of culture, it wasn’t meant to denigrate Tyler Herro, but rather to point to Bam’s ongoing and engaging personality. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2022 Over time, a chaotic workplace will not only degrade the performance of the organization but denigrate the culture of the organization as well. Bill Adams, Forbes, 25 July 2022 It’s when bad-faith actors use the STI label as a way to denigrate communities at risk that the label becomes dangerous. Lindsay Lee Wallace, SELF, 11 Aug. 2022 The first thing Donald Trump did to rally Maryland Republican primary voters this week was denigrate their popular two-term governor, Larry Hogan. Erin Cox, Washington Post, 16 July 2022 Some reviews included a derogatory and profane term used to denigrate women. NBC News, 4 May 2022 The station broadcast across the Midwest, and Baker used its considerable reach, along with a print publication, to promote his cure, slander his personal enemies, and denigrate the mainstream medical establishment. The New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2022 Republicans never miss an opportunity to denigrate Mr. Biden. WSJ, 16 June 2022 See More
Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2022 By pointing to Bam Adebayo as the most likely successor to carry the Heat’s torch of culture, it wasn’t meant to denigrate Tyler Herro, but rather to point to Bam’s ongoing and engaging personality. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2022 Over time, a chaotic workplace will not only degrade the performance of the organization but denigrate the culture of the organization as well. Bill Adams, Forbes, 25 July 2022 It’s when bad-faith actors use the STI label as a way to denigrate communities at risk that the label becomes dangerous. Lindsay Lee Wallace, SELF, 11 Aug. 2022 The first thing Donald Trump did to rally Maryland Republican primary voters this week was denigrate their popular two-term governor, Larry Hogan. Erin Cox, Washington Post, 16 July 2022 Some reviews included a derogatory and profane term used to denigrate women. NBC News, 4 May 2022 The station broadcast across the Midwest, and Baker used its considerable reach, along with a print publication, to promote his cure, slander his personal enemies, and denigrate the mainstream medical establishment. The New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2022 Republicans never miss an opportunity to denigrate Mr. Biden. WSJ, 16 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin denigratus, past participle of denigrare, from de- + nigrare to blacken, from nigr-, niger black
First Known Use
1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1
denigrative
adjective
as in slighting
intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value thanked her for the gift and then added the denigrative aside, "Not that it's anything special!" Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- slighting
- insulting
- malicious
- critical
- denigratory
- degrading
- detractive
- abusive
- demeaning
- contemptuous
- depreciative
- depreciatory
- disparaging
- derogatory
- decrying
- disdainful
- pejorative
- uncomplimentary
- belittling
- deprecatory
- scornful
- derogative
- venomous
- hateful
- derisory
- libelous
- aspersing
- nasty
- cruel
- denunciative
- defamatory
- maligning
- malignant
- opprobrious
- calumnious
- despiteful
- virulent
- spiteful
- vilifying
- slanderous
- libellous
- slandering
- malevolent
- malign
- scurrilous
- jealous
- mean
- unkind
- envious
- denunciatory
- bitter
- catty
- acrimonious
- caustic
- resentful
- jaundiced
- scathing
- acrid
- rancorous
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- complimentary
- laudatory
- positive
- laudative
- commendatory
- friendly
- admiring
- approving
- respectful
- adulatory
- appreciative
- sympathetic
- warm
- kind
- applauding
- unmalicious
- kindly
- kindhearted
- warmhearted