take a swipe at

criticize decry deride discredit disparage downplay scorn underestimate

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

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

approve commend compliment flatter laud praise

enlarge increase overestimate overrate overvalue raise upgrade

build up exaggerate value

besmirch denigrate disparage insult misrepresent revile smear sully taint tarnish vilify

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

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

clean compliment flatter laud praise

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

uphold