denigrate — to criticize unfairly; to say that someone or something is not good or important
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to criticize unfairly; to say that someone or something is not good or important
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈdɛnɪɡreɪt/
Example Sentences
- My ex-boyfriend loves to denigrate my cooking, but he can only make instant noodles.
- Stop trying to denigrate my taste in music just because I like elevator jazz.
- The company's competitors often denigrate its innovative products in the media.
denigrate
VERB[/ˈdɛnɪɡreɪt/]
to criticize unfairly; to say that someone or something is not good or important
The rival candidate tried to denigrate her opponent during the televised debate.
Deny the great — denigrate with jealous hate!
Don't denigrate - integrate and navigate!
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin 'denigrare', composed of the prefix 'de-' (down) and 'nigrare' (to blacken), derived from 'niger' meaning black. The word originally meant to blacken or darken, and evolved metaphorically to mean to diminish someone's reputation or character.
Breakdown
de- (down, away) + nigr- (black, from Latin niger) + -ate (verb suffix) = denigrate
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My ex-boyfriend loves to denigrate my cooking, but he can only make instant noodles.”
“Stop trying to denigrate my taste in music just because I like elevator jazz.”
“The company's competitors often denigrate its innovative products in the media.”
“It's unfair to denigrate someone's efforts without understanding their circumstances.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
Want to master 19,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.