criticize decry deride discredit disparage downplay scorn squelch underestimate blister deprecate depreciate derogate diminish discount downgrade knock lower minimize pan rip roast scorch slam smear squash 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 sour grapes take a swipe at take down take down a peg tear down write off