Pronunciation: ' de-ni- ˌ gr ā t
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: -grat · ed ; -grat · ing
Etymology: Latin denigratus, past participle of denigrare, from de- + nigrare to blacken, from nigr-, niger black
Date: 1526
1 : to attack the reputation of : DEFAME < denigrate one's opponents>
2 : to deny the importance or validity of : BELITTLE < denigrate their achievements>
– den · i · gra · tion \ ˌ de-ni- ' gr ā -sh ə n \ noun
– den · i · gra · tive \ ' de-ni- ˌ gr ā -tiv \ adjective
– den · i · gra · tor \ - ˌ gr ā -t ə r \ noun
– den · i · gra · to · ry \ ' de-ni-gr ə - ˌ to ̇ r- ē \ adjective