den ‧ i ‧ grate /ˈdenəˈɡreɪt, ˈdenɪˈɡreɪt/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: denigrare , from niger 'black' ]
to say things to make someone or something seem less important or good:
people who denigrate their own country
—denigration /ˌdenəˈɡreɪʃ ə n, ˌdenɪˈɡreɪʃ ə n/ noun [uncountable]