derogate

der·o·gate  (dr-gt)

v. der·o·gat·ed, der·o·gat·ing, der·o·gates

v.intr.

1. To take away; detract: an error that will derogate from your reputation.

2. To deviate from a standard or expectation; go astray.

v.tr.

To disparage; belittle. See Synonyms at decry.

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[Middle English derogaten, from Latin drogre, drogt- : d-, de- + rogre, to ask; see reg- in Indo-European roots.]

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dero·gation n.

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derogate

Verb

[-gating, -gated] derogate from to cause to seem inferior; detract from [Latin derogare to diminish]

derogation n

Thesaurus

Verb

1.

derogate - cause to seem less serious; play down; "Don't belittle his influence" belittle, denigrate, minimize disparage, belittle, pick at - express a negative opinion of; "She disparaged her student's efforts" talk down - belittle through talk