denigration

[ den-i-grey-shuhn ]
See synonyms for denigration on Thesaurus.com
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.

Origin of denigration

1
First recorded in 1605–15, for an earlier sense; from Latin dēnigrātiōn-, stem of dēnigrātiō “a blackening,” from dēnigrāre “to blacken”; see denigrate, -ion

Other words from denigration

  • self-den·i·gra·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024