1. (v. i.) To wound by clandestine detraction; to censure meanly or spitefully (an absent person); to slander or speak evil of (one absent).

2. (v. i.) To censure or revile the absent.

abate abrade abstract abuse attaint backbite bad-mouth bate be above be contemptuous of be disrespectful be overfamiliar with belittle bespatter blacken blot blow upon brand bring down bring into discredit bring low care nothing for censure cheapen chill contemn criticize cry down curtail debase decrease decry deduct defame defile degrade deject demean demoralize denigrate deprecate depreciate deride derogate derogate from despise detract detract from devaluate devalue diminish disapprove disapprove of discommend discredit disdain disesteem disgrace dishearten dishonor dispirit dispraise disprize disrespect disvalue downgrade drain dump on eat away erode expose expose to infamy extract feel contempt for feel superior to file away gibbet hang in effigy hold beneath one hold cheap hold in contempt impair insult knock leach lessen libel look down upon make free with make light of make little of make nothing of malign minimize misestimate misprize not respect pillory purify put down rank low reduce refine reflect discredit upon remove reprimand retrench ridicule rub away run down scorn sell short set at naught set little by shorten show disrespect for shrug off slander slight slur smear sneer at sneeze at sniff at snort at soil speak ill of stain stigmatize subduct submit to indignity subtract sully taint take a liberty take away take from take liberties with talk down tarnish thin thin out think little of think nothing of traduce treat with disrespect trifle with underestimate underprize underrate underreckon undervalue vilify wear away weed withdraw write off