<p><strong>Verb:</strong></p><ul><li>denigrated, denigrating</li><li>to speak damagingly of; criticize in a derogatory manner; sully; defame.</li><li>Synonyms: vilify, disparage, traduce, slander, besmirch, malign</li><li>to treat or represent as lacking in value or importance; belittle; disparage.</li><li>Archaic: to make black; darken: rain clouds denigrating the sky.</li></ul>