denigrate
Americanverb (used with object)
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to speak damagingly of; criticize in a derogatory manner; sully; defame.
to denigrate someone's character.
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to treat or represent as lacking in value or importance; belittle; disparage.
to denigrate someone's contributions to a project.
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Archaic. to make black; darken.
rain clouds denigrating the sky.
verb
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(tr) to belittle or disparage the character of; defame
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a rare word for blacken
Related Words
See decry.
Other Word Forms
- denigration noun
- denigrative adjective
- denigrator noun
- denigratory adjective
- self-denigrating adjective
Etymology
Origin of denigrate
First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin dēnigrātus (past participle of dēnigrāre “to blacken”), equivalent to dē- de- + nigr(āre) “to make black” + -ātus -ate 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The panel found Mr Lawler was entitled to hold his own beliefs, but the newsletters were "not just advancing strongly held opinions" but were "attacks" on positions that Mr Lawler "sought to denigrate".
From BBC
“It is likely that a very unhappy human came up with the idea of denigrating the holiday experience, even if AI was used to create part of the ad.”
From Los Angeles Times
"We strongly condemn any denigrating, violent, or unauthorized use of Franklin's name or image", publisher Kids Can Press said.
From BBC
“We strongly condemn any denigrating, violent, or unauthorized use of Franklin’s name or image, which directly contradicts these values,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
From Los Angeles Times
None of this is to denigrate Townsend, whose passion for the job is questioned only by those who don't know him.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
