vilipending

Verb

vilipend (third-person singular simple present vilipends, present participle vilipending, simple past and past participle vilipended)

1. (dated, formal, transitive) To treat (something) as inconsequential or worthless; to despise, to look down on.

   Synonyms:

   belittle, contemn, misprize, slight, bagatellize, banalize, cut down, de-emphasize, denigrate, degrade

2. (dated, formal, transitive) To express a disparaging opinion of; to slander or vilify.
   • But we desire, most unhesitatingly to condemn and vilipend a system of continual abuse, intended to fall upon the provincial Government, but in reality reaching and injuring the public at large.1853 July 10, “Evil Birds”, in The Colonist, New Zealand: Nelson, page 4

   Synonyms:

   abuse, disparage, derogate, assassinate, asperse, backbite, badmouth, befoul, belibel, besmirch