# denigrate vs designate

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### denigrate
*verb · IPA /ˈdɛn.ɪ.ɡɹeɪ̯t/ · frequency rank #47,572*
To criticize so as to besmirch; traduce, disparage or defame.

### designate
*adjective · IPA /ˈdɛz.ɪɡ.nət/ · frequency rank #17,818*
Designated; appointed; chosen.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/denigrate-vs-designate