Dictionary.com
definitions

denigrate

[den-i-greyt]
|
SEE MORE 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.

RELATED CONTENT

deadnameRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
scrubNo scrubs allowed around here.
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

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

Nearby words

  1. denial-of-service,
  2. denial-of-service attack,
  3. denialist,
  4. denidation,
  5. denier,
  6. denigration,
  7. deniker,
  8. denim,
  9. denimed,
  10. denims

Origin of denigrate

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

Synonym study

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

denigrate

verb

(tr) to belittle or disparage the character of; defame
a rare word for blacken
Derived Formsdenigration, 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
Word Origin and History for denigrate

denigrate

v.

1520s, from Latin denigratus, past participle of denigrare "to blacken, defame," from de- "completely" (see de-) + nigr-, stem of niger "black" (see Negro). of unknown origin. "Apparently disused in 18th c. and revived in 19th c." [OED]. Related: Denigrated; denigrating.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper