Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb denigrate

2 senses of denigrate

Sense 1
minimize, belittle, denigrate, derogate -- (cause to seem less serious; play down; "Don't belittle his influence")
       => disparage, belittle, pick at -- (express a negative opinion of; "She disparaged her student's efforts")

Sense 2
defame, slander, smirch, asperse, denigrate, calumniate, smear, sully, besmirch -- (charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone; "The journalists have defamed me!" "The article in the paper sullied my reputation")
       => charge, accuse -- (blame for, make a claim of wrongdoing or misbehavior against; "he charged the director with indifference")