First Known Use: 1526
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-ˌtȯr-ē\ adjective
See denigrate defined for English-language learners
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Origin of DENIGRATE
Latin denigratus, past participle of denigrare, from de- + nigrare to blacken, from nigr-, niger black
Related to DENIGRATE
Rhymes with DENIGRATE
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