denigration
Unfair harsh criticism
Denigration is the act of unfairly criticizing or belittling someone or something, attacking their reputation or worth: The campaign descended into personal denigration.
It suggests disparagement that diminishes or blackens a person's character or accomplishments: His denigration of her work was unwarranted.
Spoken false defamation
- libelPrinted defamation
- calumnyMalicious false statement
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
- smearSpread or defame
aspersion · character assassination · mudslinging · traducement · misrepresentation · false accusations · maligning · backbiting
Criticism meant to diminish
- deprecationExpression of strong disapproval
- diminishmentProcess of becoming smaller
- minimizationMaking as small as possible
- trivializationMaking something seem minor
undervaluation · condescension · patronizing · dismissiveness · put-down · snub · slight · disregard
Contemptuous mocking treatment
- derisionContemptuous mockery
- scornHostile dismissive feeling
- contemptDisdainful disregard
- sneeringExpressing scorn facially
jeering · taunting · scoffing · lampooning · satirizing · caricature · sarcasm · snide remarks
Harm another's reputation
- stigmatizationMarking as disgraceful
- tarnishingOxidizing and losing shine
- besmirchingDamaging someone's reputation
- disreputeDamaged public standing
scandal · infamy · dishonor · disgrace · staining · sullying · blotting · blackening
Diminishing worth or purity
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- abasementState of being lowered
- dehumanizationDenying personhood to others
- dishonorLoss of respect
disgrace · shame · mortification · indignity · disrespect · objectification · defilement · lowering
slander
Spoken false defamation
- libelPrinted defamation
- calumnyMalicious false statement
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
smear · aspersion · character assassination · mudslinging · traducement · misrepresentation · false accusations · maligning · backbiting · gossip
disparagement
Criticism meant to diminish
- deprecationExpression of strong disapproval
- diminishmentProcess of becoming smaller
- minimizationMaking as small as possible
trivialization · undervaluation · condescension · patronizing · dismissiveness · put-down · snub · slight · disregard · marginalization
ridicule
Contemptuous mocking treatment
sneering · jeering · taunting · scoffing · lampooning · satirizing · caricature · sarcasm · snide remarks · disdain
discredit
Harm another's reputation
- stigmatizationMarking as disgraceful
- tarnishingOxidizing and losing shine
- besmirchingDamaging someone's reputation
disrepute · scandal · infamy · dishonor · disgrace · staining · sullying · blotting · blackening · damage
debasement
Diminishing worth or purity
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- abasementState of being lowered
- dehumanizationDenying personhood to others
dishonor · disgrace · shame · mortification · indignity · disrespect · objectification · defilement · lowering · cheapening
- mockerymockery, ridiculing, jeers, jeering, jibes
- Put-downsinsult, putdown, sneer, scorn, disdain
- smear tacticssmear, smear campaign, mudslinging, attack ads, hit piece
- vilificationvilification, vilifying, demonizing, demonisation, demonize
- corruptioncorruption, graft, kickbacks, bribery, bribes
- hostilityanimosity, hostility, antagonism, belligerence, malice
denigrationpraise
Expression of approval
commendation · acclaim · glorification · exaltation · approbation
denigrationglorification
Elevating praise or worship
exaltation · aggrandizement · ennoblement · magnification · elevation
denigrationvindication
Clearance of blame
defense · justification · exoneration · rehabilitation · championing