take a swipe at

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belittle v.
malign v.

VERB

belittle

Synonyms

STRONGEST

criticize decry deride discredit disparage downplay scorn underestimate

STRONG

deprecate depreciate derogate diminish discount downgrade knock lower minimize pan rip roast slam smear trivialize underrate undervalue

WEAK

bad-mouth cut down to size cut to the quick dispraise dump on pooh pooh poor-mouth put down run down scoff at shoot down shoot full of holes sneer at take down take down a peg tear down write off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

approve commend compliment flatter laud praise

STRONG

enlarge increase overestimate overrate overvalue raise upgrade

WEAK

build up exaggerate value

VERB

malign

Synonyms

STRONGEST

besmirch denigrate disparage insult misrepresent revile smear sully taint tarnish vilify

STRONG

abuse accuse asperse backbite befoul bespatter blacken calumniate curse decry defile depreciate derogate detract dirty harm injure pollute rap roast scandalize slur soil spatter stain traduce vituperate

WEAK

bad-mouth cast aspersions mudsling opprobriate run down speak ill of tear down villainize

Antonyms

STRONGEST

clean compliment flatter laud praise

STRONG

aid approve assist benefit cleanse commend exalt fix help honor increase mend purify

WEAK

uphold

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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take a swipe at

He celebrated the U.S. men’s hockey team, though he still had to take a swipe at the equally successful women’s team that skipped the speech.

From Salon ● Feb. 25, 2026

He seems to never miss an opportunity to take a swipe at the Golden State.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 13, 2025

In July, she dropped debut single Angel of My Dreams, and she kicked off 2025 with a banger: a dance-pop track called It girl, which appears to take a swipe at the wider music industry.

From BBC ● Jan. 19, 2025

Apple didn’t have the best time in New York or New Orleans, and even as his new team was marching along in the playoffs, he couldn’t help but take a swipe at both fan bases.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 12, 2022

Dylan and I both lean into one another and duck our heads, just in case whatever that was tries to take a swipe at us.

From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston

take a swipe at

Example Sentences

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Related Words