verb
denigrate
Denigrate (verb) means to criticize someone unfairly in a way that damages their reputation.
verb
1
To criticize someone unfairly in a way that damages their reputation.
"What grand engines they were! Yet I have noticed a disposition on the part of quite a diversity of present-day commentators to denigrate those engines."
— O. S. Nock, British Locomotive Practice and Performance (1960)
"Although in public Soviet officials tend to denigrate the French electric locomotives imported recently, there is little doubt that lessons learnt from these engines will be incorporated in new Russian designs."
— , Beyond the Channel: U.S.S.R (1963)
2
To treat someone or something as if they have little or no value.
"You have no right to denigrate people and things that you have no personal experience with."
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Etymology
Derived from Latin dēnigrātus, the perfect passive participle of dēnigrō (“to blacken”) [see -ate (verb-forming suffix)], from dē- (“of; from”) + nigrō (“to blacken”) [from niger (“black”)]. Cognate with Middle English denigart(e) (“darkened, discolored”).
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for denigrate
See all rhymes for denigrate →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of denigrate?
"denigrate" (verb) means to criticize someone unfairly in a way that damages their reputation.
What is another word for denigrate?
Other words for "denigrate" include minimize, smirch, sully, defame, besmirch, belittle.
What is the opposite of denigrate?
The opposite of "denigrate" is glorify.
What are the different meanings of denigrate?
"denigrate" has 2 main meanings: 1. To criticize someone unfairly in a way that damages their reputation; 2. To treat someone or something as if they have little or no value.
