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Denigrate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ‘Ž
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denigrate

[หˆdษ›nษชหŒษกreษชt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

in a negative way

To denigrate someone means to criticize them unfairly or to make them seem less important than they really are. It can also mean to damage the reputation of someone or something.

Synonyms

belittle, depreciate, disparage.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
denigrate

Used often in formal contexts to imply a deliberate and severe attack on someone's character or reputation.

  • He tried to denigrate her achievements to make himself look better.
  • The article was criticized for attempting to denigrate the scientist's contributions.
belittle

Often used in everyday situations to describe making someone or something seem less important or valuable.

  • You shouldn't belittle his efforts, even if they seem small to you.
  • She felt belittled by the constant criticism from her coworkers.

Examples of usage

  • He felt denigrated by the comments made about his work.
  • The media often denigrates politicians by focusing on their mistakes.
  • She refused to denigrate her colleagues in order to get ahead in her career.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'denigrate'

The word 'denigrate' comes from the Latin word 'denigratus', which means 'blackened' or 'made black'. It originally referred to the act of blackening someone's reputation or character. Over time, the meaning has evolved to include any form of unfair criticism or belittling.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,809, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.