Denigrate vs Deride - What's the difference?

In transitive terms the difference between denigrate and deride

is that denigrate is to treat as worthless; belittle, degrade or disparage while deride is to harshly mock; ridicule.

(denigrat)

To criticise so as to besmirch; traduce, disparage or defame.

To treat as worthless; belittle, degrade or disparage.

(rare) To blacken.

* denigration * denigratory

(derid)

To harshly mock; ridicule.

* See also

* derider * deridingly

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