denigrate
DEN-ih-graytverbMeaning to criticize unfairly; to run down
Memory hook DENI-GRADE: grades it DOWN. Whatever the class paints, the jealous judge grades it down: “Ugly. Boring. F!” She denigrates their work.
It is unkind to denigrate other people’s work just to make your own look better.
In context Instead of improving his own pies, the rival baker tried to denigrate hers, telling customers they were dry and stale, though they were nothing of the kind.
Similar disparage, belittle, run down, malign
Opposite praise, commend, extol