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denigrate Definition

deni·grate (den′ə grāt′)

transitive verb denigrated -·grat′ed, denigrating -·grat′·ing

  1. to blacken
  2. to disparage the character or reputation of; defame

Etymology: < L denigratus, pp. of denigrare, to blacken < de-, intens. + nigrare, to blacken < niger, black: see -ate

Related Forms:

denigrate Usage Examples

Object

  • effort: I do not wish to denigrate the efforts of the 1990 or 1996 teams.
  • importance: Professionals should not underestimate or denigrate the importance their visits play in maintaining psychological well-being for these patients.

Used with why or when

  • what: If your game denigrates what is " old hat " , it won't last when it becomes old hat itself.

Modifying Another Word

  • not: Note, I do not denigrate the good intentions of those who gave birth to these abject social policy failures.
  • n't: My plea is only this: do n't denigrate the lowly sponge.