Denigration: meaning, definitions and examples

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denigration

 

[ ˌdɛnɪˈɡreɪʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

negative remark

Denigration refers to the action of unfairly criticizing someone or something. It often involves belittling or disparaging remarks that undermine a person's reputation or character.

Synonyms

belittlement, deprecation, derogation, disparagement

Examples of usage

  • His constant denigration of her efforts was very discouraging.
  • The media's denigration of the politician's achievements influenced public opinion.
  • She faced denigration from her peers for her unconventional ideas.
  • Denigration of competitors is common in highly competitive industries.

Translations

Translations of the word "denigration" in other languages:

🇵🇹 denigração

🇮🇳 निन्दा

🇩🇪 Herabsetzung

🇮🇩 penyebutan buruk

🇺🇦 приниження

🇵🇱 denigracja

🇯🇵 非難

🇫🇷 dénigrement

🇪🇸 denigración

🇹🇷 aşağılama

🇰🇷 비난

🇸🇦 التقليل من الشأن

🇨🇿 diskreditace

🇸🇰 diskreditácia

🇨🇳 贬低

🇸🇮 diskreditacija

🇮🇸 niðurdráttur

🇰🇿 жамандығы

🇬🇪 დამცირება

🇦🇿 kiçiltmə

🇲🇽 denigración

Etymology

The word 'denigration' originated from the Latin word 'denigrare', which means 'to blacken' or 'to make black'. The root 'nig' is derived from 'niger', meaning black, which carries the connotation of tarnishing a reputation or character. The term came to English in the late 19th century, incorporating its sense of disparaging someone or something, especially through slanderous remarks. Over time, it has evolved to encompass any form of unjust criticism or defamation, often used in contexts involving public figures, politics, or social discourse. The concept of denigration plays a significant role in discussions about ethics in communication, highlighting the potential harms of negative speech on social relations.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,695, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.