DISPARAGE

to slight or belittle

/express a negative opinion of

//to lower in rank or reputation
SYN - degrade

to depreciate by indirect means (as invidious comparison) : speak slightingly about

"He had shown no hesitation when he made disparaging remarks towards him in the past, why had he thought he would abstain from making them now."

"The remarks made in an attempt to disparage Johnny had little effect on his actions."

"He was such a proud-free self-sufficient individual that no matter how many people would disparage him he would not blink or take his eye of his goal."

"She knew that all it took to break his heart was one disparaging comment - ah the powers she had!"