Meaning
Denigrate means to criticize someone or something unfairly, to belittle, or to damage their reputation. It often suggests speaking in a way that diminishes the value, importance, or worth of a person, idea, or achievement.
Grammar and Usage
-
Part of speech: Verb (transitive)
-
Pattern: denigrate sb/sth → He denigrated her efforts in front of everyone. denigrate sb/sth as + adjective/noun → The article denigrated the plan as unrealistic.
-
It is typically used in formal or serious contexts.
Common Phrases
- denigrate someone’s character
- denigrate someone’s achievements
- denigrate an idea/proposal
- denigrate efforts/work
Collocations
- verbs + denigrate: attempt to denigrate, seek to denigrate
- adverbs + denigrate: unfairly denigrate, constantly denigrate
- objects: reputation, contributions, culture, identity
Examples
- He was accused of denigrating his opponent during the debate.
- The manager denigrated her hard work instead of appreciating it.
- We should not denigrate the traditions of other cultures.
- The report unfairly denigrates the contributions of younger employees.
- Critics denigrated the movie as shallow and uninspired.
- Politicians sometimes denigrate each other to gain an advantage.
- It is unwise to denigrate ideas before fully considering them.
- She felt hurt when her colleagues denigrated her achievements.
Synonyms or Related
- belittle
- disparage
- defame
- slander
- criticize unfairly
- run down
- malign