Textual thesaurus for "denigrate"

(verb) sully, defame, calumniate, besmirch, asperse, slander, smear, smirch

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

(verb) derogate, belittle, minimize

cause to seem less serious; play down

Don't belittle his influence