denigration

[ den-i-grey-shuhn ]

noun

1. an act or instance of speaking about someone or something in a belittling or damaging way; disparagement:

   Constructive discussion, including differing opinions, is welcomed, but no name-calling, insults, derogatory remarks, or denigrations will be tolerated.

2. an act or instance of treating something as if it had little value or importance:

   Implanting microchips in people is a denigration of human dignity.

Other Words From

• self-den·i·gra·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of denigration¹

First recorded in 1605–15, for an earlier sense; from Latin dēnigrātiōn-, stem of dēnigrātiō “a blackening,” from dēnigrāre “to blacken”; denigrate ( def ), -ion ( def )

Example Sentences

The research highlighted the ways AI can misinterpret language on the internet, which can lead to “stereotyping, denigration, increases in extremist ideology, and wrongful arrest,” as Gebru and her co-authors put it.

From Quartz

Related Words

• character assassination
• defamation