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denigrate

[ den-i-greyt ]
/ ˈdɛn ɪˌgreɪt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR denigrate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), den·i·grat·ed, den·i·grat·ing.

to speak damagingly of; criticize in a derogatory manner; sully; defame: to denigrate someone's character.
to treat or represent as lacking in value or importance; belittle; disparage: to denigrate someone's contributions to a project.
to make black; blacken: rain clouds denigrating the sky.

Words related to denigrate

impugn, disparage, defame, slander, vilify, besmirch, blister, knock, revile, traduce, scandalize, blacken, asperse, decry, roast, libel, calumniate, dis

Words nearby denigrate

denial-of-service, denial-of-service attack, denialist, denidation, denier, denigrate, deniker, denim, denimed, denims, denis

Origin of denigrate

1520–30; < Latin dēnigrātus (past participle of dēnigrāre to blacken), equivalent to dē- de- + nigr(āre) to make black + -ātus -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM denigrate

synonym study for denigrate

1. See decry.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for denigrate

denigrate
/ (ˈdɛnɪˌɡreɪt) /

verb

(tr) to belittle or disparage the character of; defame
a rare word for blacken

Derived forms of denigrate

denigration, noundenigrator, noun

Word Origin for denigrate

C16: from Latin dēnigrāre to make very black, defame, from nigrāre to blacken, from niger black
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012