denigration

noun

den·​i·​gra·​tion ˌdenə̇ˈgrāshən 

-nēˈ- sometimes ˌdēn-;

also ˌdēˌnīˈ-

plural -s

1

obsolete : the act of denigrating

2

: a sullying of reputation or character : defamation, degradation

the denigration of man to his former animal level

—G. L. Steibel

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