Dictionary

denigrate

verb den·i·grate \ˈde-ni-ˌgrāt\

: to say very critical and often unfair things about (someone)

: to make (something) seem less important or valuable

den·i·grat·edden·i·grat·ing

Full Definition of DENIGRATE

transitive verb
1
:  to attack the reputation of :  defame <denigrate one's opponents>
2
:  to deny the importance or validity of :  belittle <denigrate their achievements>
den·i·gra·tion \ˌde-ni-ˈgrā-shən\ noun
den·i·gra·tive \ˈde-ni-ˌgrā-tiv\ adjective
den·i·gra·tor \-ˌgrā-tər\ noun
den·i·gra·to·ry \ˈde-ni-grə-ˌtr-ē\ adjective
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Origin of DENIGRATE

Latin denigratus, past participle of denigrare, from de- + nigrare to blacken, from nigr-, niger black
First Known Use: 1526

Rhymes with DENIGRATE

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