Denigrative — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb adjective /ˈde-ni-ˌgrāt/ den·i·grate

Meaning & Definition of Denigrative

Denigrative (verb)

  1. to attack the reputation of, defame
  2. to deny the importance or validity of, belittle

Denigrative (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value

    "thanked her for the gift and then added the denigrative aside, Not that it's anything special!"

    similar: belittling, contemptuous, decrying, degrading, demeaning, denigratory, deprecatory, depreciative, depreciatory, derisory, derogative, derogatory, detractive, disdainful, disparaging, pejorative, scornful, slighting, uncomplimentary
    related: aspersing, calumnious, defamatory, insulting, libelous, maligning, slandering, slanderous, vilifying, abusive, opprobrious, scurrilous, catty, cruel, despiteful, hateful, malevolent, malicious, malign, malignant, mean, nasty, spiteful, unkind, virulent, critical, denunciative, denunciatory, acrimonious, bitter, envious, jaundiced, jealous, rancorous, resentful, acrid, caustic, scathing, venomous
    opposite: commendatory, complimentary, laudative, laudatory
    near: admiring, adulatory, applauding, approving, friendly, positive, appreciative, respectful, kind, kindhearted, kindly, sympathetic, unmalicious, warm, warmhearted

Related Entry: Denigrate (verb)

Denigrate is a different word from Denigrative. The synonyms below are for denigrate, not for denigrative.

  1. to express scornfully one's low opinion of

    "theater critics have been denigrating her acting ability for years"

    similar: bad-mouth, belittle, cry down, decry, deprecate, depreciate, derogate, diminish, dis (slang), discount, dismiss, disparage, kiss off, minimize, play down, poor-mouth, put down, run down, talk down, trash, trash-talk, vilipend, write off, dump on
    related: discommend, abuse, scold, disapprove (of), dislike, censure, condemn, criticize, denounce, reprehend, reprobate, asperse, defame, malign, rip, slander, slur, traduce, vilify, discredit, disgrace
    opposite: acclaim, applaud, exalt, extol, glorify, laud, magnify, praise
    near: approve, countenance, endorse, favor, recommend, sanction, commend, compliment, eulogize

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Denigrative

The most common words with a similar meaning to Denigrative:

belittling, contemptuous, decrying, degrading, demeaning, denigratory, deprecatory, depreciative, depreciatory, derisory, derogative, derogatory, detractive, disdainful, disparaging, pejorative, scornful, slighting, uncomplimentary

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Denigrative

Words with the opposite meaning of Denigrative:

commendatory, complimentary, laudative, laudatory

Related Words for Denigrative

aspersing, calumnious, defamatory, insulting, libelous, maligning, slandering, slanderous, vilifying, abusive, opprobrious, scurrilous, catty, cruel, despiteful, hateful, malevolent, malicious, malign, malignant, mean, nasty, spiteful, unkind, virulent, critical, denunciative, denunciatory, acrimonious, bitter

Near Antonyms of Denigrative

admiring, adulatory, applauding, approving, friendly, positive, appreciative, respectful, kind, kindhearted, kindly, sympathetic, unmalicious, warm, warmhearted

Word Forms of Denigrative

Inflections: denigrated, denigrating

Derived words: denigration (noun), denigrative (adjective), denigrator (noun), denigratory (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Denigrative

Latin denigratus, past participle of denigrare, from de- + nigrare to blacken, from nigr-, niger black

First known use: 1526

Frequently Asked Questions about Denigrative

What does "Denigrative" mean?

"Denigrative" means to attack the reputation of, defame. As an a verb and an adjective, it is defined as: to attack the reputation of, defame.

What is another word for "Denigrative"?

Other words for "Denigrative" include belittling, contemptuous, decrying, degrading, demeaning, denigratory, deprecatory and depreciative. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Denigrative" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Denigrative"?

There are 58 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Denigrative". Common alternatives include belittling, contemptuous, decrying, degrading, demeaning, denigratory, deprecatory, depreciative, depreciatory and derisory.

What is the opposite of "Denigrative"?

Antonyms of "Denigrative" include commendatory, complimentary, laudative and laudatory. Near antonyms include admiring, adulatory, applauding and approving.

How do you use "Denigrative" in a sentence?

Examples of "Denigrative" in a sentence: "thanked her for the gift and then added the denigrative aside, Not that it's anything special!".

Is "Denigrative" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Denigrative" can be used as a verb and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Denigrative"?

"Denigrative" is pronounced /ˈde-ni-ˌgrāt/ and divided into syllables as den·i·grate.

What is the origin of the word "Denigrative"?

"Denigrative" comes from Latin denigratus, past participle of denigrare, from de- + nigrare to blacken, from nigr-, niger black. First known use: 1526.