DENIGRATION Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

denigration

noun

Definition of denigration

as in defamation

the act of making a person or a thing seem little or unimportant the unfair denigration of the social sciences by some people in the natural sciences

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of denigration For me, this marks an early moment in the denigration of women. — Eana Kim, ARTnews.com, 27 Apr. 2026 Nowhere is there the vitriol or denigration found in MAGA gatherings. — Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026 From the start, the denigration of the Iranian monarchy was at the center of the Islamic Republic’s official ideology. — Azadeh Moaveni, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026 Trump is, of course, a man whose rise to power has been fueled by his denigration of people for being animal-like. — Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 22 Feb. 2026 The human costs of this are the increasing rates of illnesses and the financial costs of health care, lost productivity, and the compounding problems of further environmental denigration. — Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for denigration

Noun

In June, a federal judge ordered Baldoni and his production company to pay Lively’s attorney fees related to his unsuccessful defamation lawsuit against her, but rejected her bid for additional damages.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Baldoni accused Lively, her husband, Ryan Reynolds, the couple's publicist, Leslie Sloane, and others of extortion and defamation, among other claims.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026

Definition of defamation

Noun

The latest appearance will do little to quell criticism of Infantino, who is standing currently unopposed for re-election as FIFA president.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 18 July 2026
On top of that, Saka downplayed all the criticisms of Tuchel coming into Saturday’s match.

— Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Definition of criticism

Noun

This means private landowners may have more success challenging condemnation actions under their state constitutions than in federal court.

— Aaron Walayat, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
Beneath the memoir runs a steady defense of everyday Beirutis and, equally, a condemnation of the world that distances itself from their pain.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 July 2026

Definition of condemnation

Noun

Asserting claims for tortious interference, civil conspiracy, commercial disparagement and violations of Illinois consumer fraud laws, the Butlers sought more than $50 million in compensatory damages and over $200 million in punitive damages.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 22 June 2026
These disparagements cut to the core of southern manhood.

— Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026

Definition of disparagement

Noun

Formerly incarcerated people with disabilities, chronic mental health or substance abuse issues and those who are older tend to be at higher risk for post-incarceration homelessness, Western said.

— Amber Gaudet July 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
That honest job has, across four generations, fed prime ministers and paupers, cooked for the King and Queen, and quietly funded a one-man legal aid service for survivors of abuse.

— Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of abuse

Noun

During Season 10, a newly confident Batula — who seemed to despise Cooke from the first minute of the premiere episode — appeared to be poised to launch a triumphant post-divorce arc, free at last from Cooke’s belittlement and verbal abuse.

— Kate Aurthur, Variety, 29 June 2026
Apolline may embrace the social media aspects of her career but George’s belittlement rankles her.

— Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug. 2025

Definition of belittlement

Noun

There’s a bit of self-depreciation there with a nod to Shannon’s beloved Spanx.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 July 2026
Its profit, as measured in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), also increased by 17 percent to £267 million ($357 million), compared with £228 million in the previous year.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026

Definition of depreciation

Noun

Yes, the Jets became the object of ridicule last season after finishing 3-14 and becoming the first team in NFL history to go an entire season without recording an interception.

— Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 13 July 2026
Likewise, Johnson’s appearance in Moana has attracted widespread online criticism and ridicule with the largest wave of mockery centered on Maui’s long, curly hair.

— Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of ridicule

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“Denigration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/denigration. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of denigration

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