denigrate
Attack someone's reputation
Denigrate means to criticize unfairly or disparage, attacking someone's reputation or the worth of something: Critics denigrated the film as derivative and dull.
The word often implies that the criticism is unjust or motivated by malice rather than honest assessment.
To denigrate is stronger than to criticize—it suggests deliberate belittling: He denigrated her accomplishments at every opportunity.
Spoken false defamation
- libelPrinted defamation
- smearSpread or defame
- vilifyAttack someone's reputation
- calumniateSpread false damaging statements
besmirch · defamation · traduce · malign · backbite · aspersion · impugn · calumny
Weaken by stealth
- impugnAttack as false
- invalidateMake null or void
- delegitimizeDeny rightful authority
- debunkExpose as false
disprove · challenge · question · weaken · subvert · disgrace · dishonor · shame
Declare wrong or guilty
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- decryOpenly criticize harshly
- castigateReprimand severely
- lambasteScold with ferocity
excoriate · denounce · rebuke · reproach · upbraid · berate · chastise · reprimand
Express earnest disapproval
- diminishTo make smaller
- minimizeReduce to smallest extent
- downplayDiminish perceived importance
- trivializeMake light of
demean · devalue · detract · underestimate · discount · slight · snub · put down
Contemptuous mocking treatment
- derideMock with contempt
- scornHostile dismissive feeling
- jeerVocal expression of scorn
- tauntInsulting provocation
scoff · lampoon · satirize · sneer · gibe · roast · parody · caricature
Derogatory ethnic term
- prejudicialHarmfully biasing an outcome
- bigotedStubbornly intolerant of others
- dehumanizeStrip of dignity
- otheringViewing as fundamentally different
slander
Spoken false defamation
calumniate · besmirch · defamation · traduce · malign · backbite · aspersion · impugn · calumny · mudslinging
undermine
Weaken by stealth
- impugnAttack as false
- invalidateMake null or void
- delegitimizeDeny rightful authority
debunk · disprove · challenge · question · weaken · subvert · disgrace · dishonor · shame · tarnish
condemn
Declare wrong or guilty
lambaste · excoriate · denounce · rebuke · reproach · upbraid · berate · chastise · reprimand · admonish
deprecate
Express earnest disapproval
trivialize · demean · devalue · detract · underestimate · discount · slight · snub · put down · talk down
ridicule
Contemptuous mocking treatment
taunt · scoff · lampoon · satirize · sneer · gibe · roast · parody · caricature · burlesque
racial slur
Derogatory ethnic term
- prejudicialHarmfully biasing an outcome
- bigotedStubbornly intolerant of others
- dehumanizeStrip of dignity
denigration, denigrating, denigrated, denigrates, denigrator, denigrators, denigrations