denigrating Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. verb cause to seem less serious; play down
   minimize; derogate; denigrate; belittle.
   
   • Don't belittle his influence
2. verb charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone
   sully; smirch; smear; defame; asperse; slander; denigrate; calumniate; besmirch.
   
   • The journalists have defamed me!" "The article in the paper sullied my reputation
3. adjective satellite (used of statements) harmful and often untrue; tending to discredit or malign
   libelous; denigrative; denigratory; calumnious; slanderous; libellous; calumniatory; defamatory.
   

WordNet