DENIGRATE Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

denigrate

verb

ˈde-ni-ˌgrāt

Definition of denigrate

as in to dismiss

to express scornfully one's low opinion of theater critics have been denigrating her acting ability for years

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of denigrate Some of the reason for this is rooted in a foreign influence campaign designed to denigrate America’s artificial intelligence dominance so that China, in particular, can dominate the technology and jobs of the future. — Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 23 Aug. 2026 Excluded from jobs and housing, some of these new arrivals had turned to Islam as a welcoming alternative to the white society that denigrated them. — Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026 For an administration that famously denigrates Chicago, Friday was a notably good day for federal money for the city’s historic status as a rail hub. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 Jason Arday, a neurodivergent Black Cambridge professor who was feted as a wunderkind by some and denigrated as a fabulist by others, resigned earlier this month amidst accusations of plagiarism. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for denigrate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for denigrate

Verb

Ben-Gvir dismisses concerns that such policies would cement Israel’s status as a pariah state.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Lower courts had dismissed the case because Asian American students were not underrepresented at the magnet schools compared with the pool of students that applied.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of dismiss

Verb

The frack happening beneath us was about half as deep as Mount Everest is high, in a section of oil-rich rock that used to be considered out of reach; other innovations allow for simultaneous fracks, minimizing downtime.

— Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Eco effort As a camp that focuses on conservation, minimizing environmental impact is the cornerstone of the Wilderness Desert Rhino ethos.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of minimize

Verb

Members of Congress could be expected to resist presidential encroachments because those encroachments diminished their own power.

— Stephanie A, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
In theory, such an arrangement diminishes the cells’ ability to transport oxygen from the lungs.

— D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of diminish

Verb

Vance has neither criticized his friend nor publicly nudged Carlson to temper what’s been harsh criticism of Israel — and Trump’s cultivation of the Netanyahu government.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
At an October debate, Bass pointed out that Raman, as chair of the city council’s housing and homelessness committee, had repeatedly approved spending on Inside Safe, the very program Raman now criticizes as expensive and insufficiently accountable.

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of criticize

Verb

The actress said Toback later made disparaging remarks about her appearance, including comments about her hips.

— Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Clayburn further testified that Gonzalez and her family routinely disparaged Avery in front of his daughter.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of disparage

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“Denigrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/denigrate. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of denigrate

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