Denostar is a verb.
/deno'staɾ/
"Denostar" refers to the act of disparaging, belittling, or denigrating someone or something. It implies a strong negative connotation, often suggesting that the subject being denostado is treated with contempt or scorn.
In Spanish, "denostar" is used in formal contexts, often appearing in written language, such as literature and journalism. However, it can also be found in oral speech, especially in discussions about opinions, evaluations, or critiques.
The term is moderately used in Spanish, particularly in discussions revolving around criticism, politics, and social issues.
The press tends to denounce politicians who do not keep their promises.
No es correcto denostar a las personas por sus creencias.
It is not right to belittle people for their beliefs.
A menudo denostamos lo que no entendemos.
While "denostar" itself may not appear centrally in many idiomatic expressions, related phrases emphasize critique and disdain. Here are some example sentences illustrating its use in a more idiomatic context:
Don’t let the criticisms belittle you.
A veces, la gente denosta lo que no puede comprender.
Sometimes, people denigrate what they cannot comprehend.
No es justo denostar el trabajo de alguien sin conocerlo.
It is not fair to disparage someone's work without knowing it.
Cuando se siente amenazado, a menudo denosta a los demás para sentirse superior.
"Denostar" comes from the Latin "denostare," which is a combination of "de-" meaning "down from" or "concerning," and "nōstare," meaning "to show" or "to indicate." Over time, it has evolved in the Spanish language to express not only a showing or indicating something, but specifically in a derogatory context.