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 Freedom, mobility; who gets to be an artist; style, ornamentation, artifice; work, leisure; the counterculture; the denigration of femininity; West Coast oddballism. — Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026 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

Newsom’s defamation case against Fox News The governor’s $787-million defamation suit against Fox News is set for a March 6, 2028, trial, potentially colliding with a presidential run.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Just less than two years after Dan Schneider was given a green light on his Quiet on Set defamation lawsuit against Warner Bros Discovery and others, a trio of appeal judges has handed the former Nickelodeon producer a big defeat.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of defamation

Noun

The remarks drew criticism from some Jewish and pro-Israel organizations, including the Israeli-American Council, which called for Macklemore to be removed from the tour.

— Anna Tingley, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
The loss aggravated criticism of quarterback Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ lack of protection for him.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of criticism

Noun

One particularly problematic scene has the villagers, among them the lovestruck and jealous Wilf, confronting Philip until he is forced to lash out physically, leading to further condemnation.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026
With protests against the moves beginning to take shape, the crackdowns show no signs of letting up, even as international attention and condemnation begins to pour in.

— Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of condemnation

Noun

Iamaleava could have allowed the disparagement to compound, but the starting signal-caller is using it as fuel for a 2026 season where many have the Bruins painted as a potential dark horse.

— Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Her mother, meanwhile, is backed up by her second husband (Kwon), a mild-mannered documentary filmmaker whose profession gives his wife yet more ammunition in her smiling disparagement of Sanghee.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of disparagement

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

On the other hand, higher Fed rates typically bolster the attractiveness of dollar assets, exerting depreciation pressure on local currencies.

— , CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026
Analysts say the naira currency’s depreciation over the last three years, due to Nigeria’s economic policy revamp, highlights the macroeconomic risks that may put off investors in the economy, including in healthcare.

— Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of depreciation

Noun

All of us speaking the same language, all of us unabashedly sharing our love of the show without fear of ridicule.

— Christopher Watson, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026
Trump’s hair has long been the subject of ridicule from his critics, with comedian Rosie O’Donnell in August alleging that the president's hair was fake and actually a wig.

— Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of ridicule

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“Denigration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/denigration. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of denigration

noun

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