denigrate

verb den·i·grate \ ˈde-ni-ˌgrāt \

Updated on: 9 May 2018

Definition of denigrate

denigrated; denigrating

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

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denigration

play \ˌde-ni-ˈgrā-shən\ noun

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denigrative

play \ˈde-ni-ˌgrā-tiv\ adjective

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denigrator

play \-ˌgrā-tər\ noun

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denigratory

play \ˈde-ni-grə-ˌtȯr-ē\ adjective

See denigrate defined for English-language learners

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Examples of denigrate in a Sentence

Her story denigrates him as a person and as a teacher.
No one is trying to denigrate the importance of a good education. We all know that it is crucial for success.
denigrating the talents and achievements of women

Recent Examples of denigrate from the Web

One problem is that the critics of arms control overstate its aims so as to denigrate its accomplishments.

— The Economist, "Despite North Korea, arms control is unravelling," 5 May 2018
That's not to denigrate Auerbach, whose almost sotto voce delivery gives the songs their own meaning.

— chuck yarborough, cleveland.com, "Chuck Auerbach follows in the footsteps of his Black Keys son with Beachland gig (concert review)," 4 May 2018
Thomas Bell Atlanta The article was ruined for me when the author fell hard off his podium to denigrate President Trump.

— WSJ, "Examining China’s Challenge to Democracy," 4 May 2018
As Kelly continues to reportedly denigrate Trump’s lack of knowledge on policy and government to lawmakers, the relationship between them only disintegrates further.

— caitlin wolper, Teen Vogue, "Chief of Staff John Kelly Reportedly Called President Trump an Idiot, Said Women Are More Emotional," 1 May 2018
The Trump administration has gone to extraordinary length to denigrate the most recent group of migrants to reach the United States, as well as immigrants and asylum-seekers in general.

— matt ford, The New Republic, "The Migrant Caravan Enters Trump’s Hostile Immigration Maze," 1 May 2018
The Russians used the information to destabilize the U.S. political environment, denigrate Clinton and support Trump, according to the complaint.

— Bloomberg.com, "DNC Sues Trump Campaign, WikiLeaks, Russia Over Election Interference," 20 Apr. 2018
This is not to denigrate one of the most dynamic and iconic performers ever.

— renée graham, BostonGlobe.com, "50 years ago, James Brown’s proud moment calmed a tense city," 4 Apr. 2018
The demographics that Williamson chooses to denigrate are vulnerable ones.

— danielle tcholakian, Longreads, "The Myth of Kevin Williamson," 7 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'denigrate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

If you "denigrate" someone, you attempt to blacken their reputation. It makes sense, therefore, that "denigrate" can be traced back to the Latin verb denigrare, meaning "to blacken." When "denigrate" was first used in English in the 16th century, it meant to cast aspersions on someone's character or reputation. Eventually, it developed a second sense of "to make black" ("factory smoke denigrated the sky"), but this sense is somewhat rare in modern usage. Nowadays, of course, "denigrate" can also refer to belittling the worth or importance of someone or something.