denigrating
Attacking someone's reputation
Denigrating means attacking the reputation or worth of something or someone—disparaging, belittling, putting down.
The word implies unfair or unjustified criticism: He spent the interview denigrating his former employer.
Someone denigrating another's achievements suggests those achievements don't deserve respect.
The adjective form describes remarks or attitudes: denigrating comments about her work.
Express low opinion of
- demeanLower in standing
- diminishTo make smaller
- deprecateExpress earnest disapproval
- degradeLower in standing
mock · deride · trivialize · minimize · undermine · devalue · downplay · slight
Falsely damaging to reputation
- libelousFalsely damaging someone's reputation
- pejorativeTerm expressing disapproval
- derogatoryExpressing criticism or disrespect
- deprecatingExpressing disapproval or belittlement
vilifying · scornful · contemptuous · abusive · disdainful · mocking · sneering · scathing
disparage
Express low opinion of
degrade · mock · deride · trivialize · minimize · undermine · devalue · downplay · slight · condescend
slanderous
Falsely damaging to reputation
- libelousFalsely damaging someone's reputation
- pejorativeTerm expressing disapproval
- derogatoryExpressing criticism or disrespect
deprecating · vilifying · scornful · contemptuous · abusive · disdainful · mocking · sneering · scathing · vitriolic
tarnish
Oxidation discoloration on metal
slander · defame · blacken · stain · taint · discredit · dishonor · drag through mud · impugn · asperse
condemn
Declare wrong or guilty
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- denouncePublicly declare wrongdoing
- decryOpenly criticize harshly
rebuke · reproach · castigate · lambaste · chastise · reprimand · admonish · blame · fault · pan
- shamingshaming, humiliating, disgracing, dishonoring, degrading
- disrespectinsulting, belittling, demeaning, mocking, ridiculing
- downplayingminimizing, downplay, trivializing, belittling, soft-pedal
denigratingpraising
Voicing admiration
complimenting · lauding · extolling · acclaiming · glorifying
denigratingdefending
Protecting against harm
championing · supporting · uplifting · endorsing · promoting
denigratingglorifying
Praising to excess
exalting · elevating · boosting · aggrandizing · dignifying