| Main Entry: | bad-mouth |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | to denigrate |
Synonyms: |
belittle, criticize, cut down to size, dis, disparage, dump on, find fault, knock*, malign, mudsling, pan, pooh pooh, put down*, rap, rip, roast, run down, slam, slander, take a dig at, take down a peg, tear down, tear to pieces |
| Main Entry: | banter |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | teasing |
Synonyms: |
badinage, chaff, chaffing, chitchat, derision, dissing, exchange, fun, gossip, jeering, jesting, joking, joshing, kidding, mockery, persiflage, play, raillery, repartee, ribbing, ridicule, small talk |
| Main Entry: | demean |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | humble, humiliate |
Synonyms: |
abase, bad-mouth, belittle, bemean, cast down, contemn, cut down to size, cut rate, debase, decry, degrade, derogate, descend, despise, detract, dis, disparage, dump on, knock down, lower, pan, poor-mouth, scorn, sink, stoop |
Antonyms: |
boost, enhance, improve, upgrade |
| Main Entry: | denigrate |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | belittle, malign |
Synonyms: |
asperse, bad mouth, besmirch, blacken, blister, calumniate, decry, defame, dis, disparage, give black eye, impugn, knock*, libel, mudsling, put down*, revile, rip up, roast, run down, scandalize, slander, tear down, traduce, vilify |
Antonyms: |
boost, cherish, compliment, praise |
| Main Entry: | deride |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | make fun of; insult |
Synonyms: |
banter, chaff, contemn, detract, dis, disdain, disparage, do a number on, dump on, flout, gibe, jeer, jolly, kid, knock, laugh at, lout, mock, pan, pooh-pooh, put down*, quiz, rag, rally, razz, rib, ridicule, roast, scoff, scorn, slam, sneer, taunt, twit |
Antonyms: |
commend, compliment, flatter, praise, revere |
| Main Entry: | disparage |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | criticize; detract from |
Synonyms: |
abuse, belittle, chill*, cry down, decry, defame, degrade, deject, demoralize, denigrate, deprecate, depreciate, deride, derogate, dis, discourage, discredit, disdain, dishearten, dismiss, dispirit, dispraise, downcry, dump on, lower, malign, minimize, pan, put down, put hooks in, rap, ridicule, roast, run down, scorch, scorn, slam*, slander, smear, sour grapes, tear down, traduce, underestimate, underrate, undervalue, vilify, write off |
Antonyms: |
approve, commend, compliment, flatter, laud, praise, sanction |
| Main Entry: | gibe |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | ridicule |
Synonyms: |
deride, dis, disrespect, flout, jeer, make fun of, mock, poke fun at, scoff, scorn, sneer, taunt |
| Notes: | a gibe is an aggressive or derisive remark intended to have a telling effect; a jib is any triangular fore-and-aft sail |
Antonyms: |
admire, commend, laud, praise |
| Main Entry: | heckle |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | jeer |
Synonyms: |
badger, bait, bother, bully, chivy, dis, discomfit, disconcert, disrupt, disturb, embarrass, faze, gibe, hound, interrupt, pester, plague, rattle, ride*, ridicule, shout at, taunt, tease, torment, worry |
Antonyms: |
encourage, help, promote, support |