denigrate him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "denigrate him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of criticizing or belittling someone in a derogatory manner. Example: "It's unfair to denigrate him for making a mistake; everyone deserves a second chance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

(Perhaps this explains why Ms. Lesjak was so quick to denigrate him once she took over).

The New York Times

Those, for example, who denigrate him as the Shah of Blah.

The Guardian - Books

Scientology's response is to denigrate him – along with every person in the film.

The Guardian - Film

It's like the guy who loves Prince and would never denigrate him by going to one of his concerts".

The New York Times

Mr. Gergiev is a proven conductor of "Le Sacre du Printemps," but here his performance gave ammunition to those who denigrate him as a mere seeker of effects.

The New York Times - Arts

The book was read by some of my more hostile readers merely as an attack on Eliot, and an attempt to denigrate him.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Certainly, his relationship with his father, who denigrated him from childhood on, made Hanssen a less than well-adjusted adult.

The New York Times - Books

One morning he got taken to jail after firing at the cafe because two other members of the Boone clan who had denigrated him were in it.

The New York Times - Books

Trump, when asked about the Pope's intention to stand at the border, denigrated him as "a very political person" and a tool of the Mexican government.

The New Yorker

A senior Liberal Democrat, the coalition's junior partner, calls Mr Gove an "ideologically obsessed zealot"—a phrase that denigrates him without quite dissociating the Lib Dems from reforms they helped pass.

The Economist

Instead, critics who once denigrated him as a humorless purveyor of diluted swing, banal novelties, and saccharine vocals are reassessing a sound that clings relentlessly to the collective memory.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "denigrate him", ensure the context clearly indicates the intent to belittle or criticize. Avoid using it in situations where constructive feedback is more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "denigrate him" when simply describing a disagreement or difference of opinion. "Denigrate" implies a deliberate attempt to diminish someone's worth, which may not always be the case.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "denigrate him" functions as a verb phrase with a direct object. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's used to describe the act of criticizing or belittling a person in a derogatory manner. The verb "denigrate" takes "him" as its object, indicating who is being subjected to the disparagement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "denigrate him" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe the act of unfairly criticizing or belittling someone. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is primarily found in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral register despite its negative connotation. Alternatives such as "disparage him" or "belittle him" offer similar meanings but may carry slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the context warrants the strong negative implication of deliberately diminishing someone's worth. The frequency of this phrase, as shown by Ludwig's examples, suggests it's a standard expression for conveying disapproval or condemnation in various forms of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vilify him

Emphasizes the act of making someone appear as a villain.

disparage him

Focuses on speaking negatively about someone, reducing their perceived value.

belittle him

Highlights the act of making someone feel small or unimportant.

discredit him

Focuses on damaging someone's reputation or making them appear untrustworthy.

malign him

Stresses the act of speaking evil or harmful untruths about someone.

run him down

Informal way of saying someone is criticizing him constantly.

speak ill of him

A general term for saying negative things about someone.

smear him

Highlights the use of false accusations to damage someone's reputation.

defame him

Focuses on damaging someone's reputation through libel or slander.

impugn his character

Attacks his integrity and moral standing.

FAQs

How can I use "denigrate him" in a sentence?

You can use "denigrate him" when you want to describe someone being unfairly criticized or belittled. For example: "The politician tried to "denigrate him" in order to win votes."

What are some alternatives to saying "denigrate him"?

Some alternatives to "denigrate him" include "disparage him", "belittle him", or "vilify him" depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

Is it better to use "denigrate him" or "criticize him"?

"Denigrate him" implies a stronger and more negative form of criticism than simply "criticize him". "Denigrate" suggests an attempt to diminish someone's worth, while "criticize" can be more neutral or even constructive.

What's the difference between "denigrate him" and "discredit him"?

"Denigrate him" means to belittle or speak negatively about someone, while "discredit him" means to damage his reputation or make him appear untrustworthy. You "denigrate him" by saying negative things about him, and "discredit him" by revealing information that damages his reputation.