denigration

[ den-i-grey-shuhn ]

noun

1. an act or instance of speaking about someone or something in a belittling or damaging way; disparagement:

   Constructive discussion, including differing opinions, is welcomed, but no name-calling, insults, derogatory remarks, or denigrations will be tolerated.

2. an act or instance of treating something as if it had little value or importance:

   Implanting microchips in people is a denigration of human dignity.

Other Words From

• self-den·i·gra·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of denigration¹

First recorded in 1605–15, for an earlier sense; from Latin dēnigrātiōn-, stem of dēnigrātiō “a blackening,” from dēnigrāre “to blacken”; denigrate ( def ), -ion ( def )

Example Sentences

Schwarzenegger characterized his choice more as a vote against Trump than for Harris — against Trump’s denial of the 2020 election results, his denigration of America as the world’s dumping ground, his branding his political opponents as “enemies from within,” his standing by while his supporters stormed the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

He even tried to joke that he's "got nothing against cats," which the Harris campaign correctly pointed out means that he is still standing by his denigration of people who have no biological children.

From Salon

Given that Jewish Americans have historically voted Democratic, Trump has found a way to put his finger on the Achilles heel of a Jewish community witnessing the denigration of the only Jewish and democratic state.

From Salon

Soon after the accusations of religious denigration, in a statement, the opening ceremony producers said, “For the ‘Festivities’ segment, Thomas Jolly took inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting to create the setting.

From Salon

And the failure of Christians, especially white evangelical Christians to whom Trump is pandering, to speak out against such disgrace during the holiest week of the Christian year is a measure of their captivity and complicity in the denigration of both Christianity and our nation.

From Salon

Related Words

• character assassination
• defamation