1. (

• minimize ,
• belittle ,
• denigrate ,
• derogate

) cause to seem less serious; play down; "Don't belittle his influence" ;

2. (

• defame ,
• slander ,
• smirch ,
• asperse ,
• denigrate ,
• calumniate ,
• smear ,
• sully ,
• besmirch

) charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone; "The journalists have defamed me!"; "The article in the paper sullied my reputation" ;