Spanish Conversation · Level 75
60 words
Spanish word
denostar
Pronunciation
IPA/denosˈtaɾ/
Meaning
- verbbelittle
Example
No denuestes a nadie por su trabajo.
Don't belittle anyone for their work.
More examples
No denuestes a nadie públicamente.
Do not publicly belittle anyone.
Core concept
Words that humiliate or undermine someone's reputation.
Common phrases
denostar a alguien
belittle someone
denostar públicamente a alguien
publicly belittle someone
denostar el trabajo de alguien
belittle someone's work
Similar words
insultar: Hurting someone with direct verbal attacks or contemptuous remarks.
despreciar: Showing scorn through dismissive behavior that treats someone as inferior.
difamar: Making or spreading false accusations that damage a person's reputation.
desacreditar: Discrediting someone by spreading information that causes others to doubt them.
Definition in Spanish
Insultar o desacreditar a alguien con palabras que buscan humillarlo o quitarle prestigio.
Word origin
The verb traces to late Latin denostāre (de- 'away/against' + a scornful root) and retains the sense of treating someone with contempt in speech.
Usage tips
- Register is relatively strong and somewhat literary, so denostar appears more in formal criticism than in everyday complaints.