To denigrate someone means to speak about them in a way that belittles or defames their character. This can involve spreading false information or making negative comments that damage a person's reputation. Denigration can occur in various contexts, including personal relationships, workplaces, and public discourse. Defamation is a legal term related to denigration, where false statements harm an individual's reputation. There are two main types of defamation: slander, which involves spoken statements, and libel, which involves written statements. Both can lead to legal consequences for the person making the defamatory remarks.