English Dictionary
Definition of “denigrate”
denigrate (ˈdɛnɪˌɡreɪt
)
Definitions
verb
- (tr) to belittle or disparage the character of; defame
- a rare word for blacken
Alternative Forms
ˌdeniˈgration noun ˈdeniˌgrator noun Word Origin
C16: from Latin dēnigrāre to make very black, defame, from nigrāre to blacken, from niger black
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
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disparage,
run down,
slag (off)
knock,
rubbish,
blacken,
malign,
belittle,
decry,
revile,
vilify,
slander,
defame,
bad-mouth,
besmirch,
impugn,
calumniate,
asperse,
Usage examples
The habit of doing for others was too deeply rooted to change in her old age, but she was the first to denigrate her domesticity.
Adair, Tom (Intro), Three Kinds of Kissing - Scottish Short Stories (1993)But some Muslim groups and a section of the police believe that the culprits could be Hindus who want to denigrate the minority community.
India Today (1997)MY disappointment and dismay at correspondents who denigrate Lleyton Hewitt.
The Advertiser, Sunday Mail (2005)He tore into the Tories for using the case of someone in pain to ` denigrate " the whole of the NHS.
Sun, News of the World (2005)I wondered why he would denigrate the shavers by making such a comparison.
Kiam, Victor, Going For It!: How to Succeed As an Entrepreneur (1986)
