English verb: denigrate | |||
1. | denigrate (communication) cause to seem less serious; play down | ||
Samples | Don't belittle his influence. | ||
Synonyms | belittle, derogate, minimize | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | belittle, disparage, pick at | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | talk down | ||
2. | denigrate (communication) charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone | ||
Samples | The journalists have defamed me!. The article in the paper sullied my reputation. | ||
Synonyms | asperse, besmirch, calumniate, defame, slander, smear, smirch, sully | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s somebody. Something ----s somebody | ||
Broader (hypernym) | accuse, charge | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | assassinate, badmouth, drag through the mud, libel, malign, traduce | ||