Verb: denigrate 'de-nu,greyt
- Charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone
"The tabloids tried to denigrate the actress's character";
- defame, slander, smirch, asperse, calumniate [formal], smear, sully, besmirch
- Make something or someone seem less important or worthy
"Don't denigrate his influence";
- minimize, belittle, derogate, minimise [Brit]
Derived forms: denigrated, denigrating, denigrates
Type of: accuse, belittle, charge, disparage, pick at
Encyclopedia: Denigrate