What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
badmouth
Example
She always badmouths her coworkers behind their backs. [badmouths: verb]
Example
Don't listen to him, he's just badmouthing the restaurant because he had a bad experience. [badmouthing: gerund or present participle]
denigrate
Example
The politician denigrated his opponent's achievements during the debate. [denigrated: verb]
Example
Her comments denigrating the company's products caused a lot of controversy. [denigrating: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Badmouth is more commonly used than denigrate in everyday language. Badmouth is a term that is frequently used in informal conversations, while denigrate is less common and tends to be used in more formal or professional settings.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between badmouth and denigrate?
While badmouth is associated with a casual and informal tone, denigrate is more formal and serious. Denigrate is typically used in professional or academic contexts, while badmouth is versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal situations.
