belittle
verb
be·lit·tle bi-ˈli-tᵊl 
bē-
belittled; belittling bi-ˈli-tᵊl-iŋ
-ˈlit-liŋ,
bē-
transitive verb
1
: to speak slightingly of : disparage
belittles her efforts
2
: to cause (a person or thing) to seem little or less
a curiosity so vast that it almost belittled the main matter
Mark Twain
Mark Twain belittlement
bi-ˈli-tᵊl-mənt
noun bē-
belittler
bi-ˈli-tᵊl-ər
noun -ˈlit-lər
bē-
Synonyms
- bad-mouth
- cry down
- decry
- denigrate
- deprecate
- depreciate
- derogate
- diminish
- dis [slang]
- diss
- discount
- dismiss
- disparage
- kiss off
- minimize
- play down
- poor-mouth
- put down
- run down
- talk down
- trash
- trash-talk
- vilipend
- write off
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The critic belittled the author's work. Her detractors are in the habit of belittling her accomplishments.
Recent Examples on the Web Although they were happily purchased by wealthy tourists, art experts came to belittle them as formulaic and conservative. Judith H. Dobrzynski, WSJ, 29 Aug. 2022 Eradicating bias and discrimination of any kind requires us to call it out–and that includes statements about age that belittle others. Sheila Callaham, Forbes, 29 May 2022 The point, explained Dmytrovych, isn’t to belittle the invading forces, which Ukrainians regard as formidable and horrifying. New York Times, 1 July 2022 Several creators have accused the most fervent Depp supporters of using the trial as an opportunity to belittle and invalidate women rather than support domestic abuse survivors. Morgan Sung, NBC News, 3 June 2022 Dark sets up a tug of war between Agnes’ strident independence and Polly’s deference to her self-important husband and money-hungry eldest son, who belittle her at every turn. Heller Mcalpin, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 July 2022 Then, of course, there are the toxic leaders who belittle and mistreat their workers, actively stripping away their dignity. Ron Carucci, Forbes, 30 June 2022 And while, sure there are some genuine conversations being had on the app, most videos are either purposefully cruel or an attempt to belittle and demean Heard’s testimony in order to support Depp. Katherine Singh, refinery29.com, 3 June 2022 This critique has often been used to belittle pop groups. New York Times, 28 Apr. 2022 See More
Judith H. Dobrzynski, WSJ, 29 Aug. 2022 Eradicating bias and discrimination of any kind requires us to call it out–and that includes statements about age that belittle others. Sheila Callaham, Forbes, 29 May 2022 The point, explained Dmytrovych, isn’t to belittle the invading forces, which Ukrainians regard as formidable and horrifying. New York Times, 1 July 2022 Several creators have accused the most fervent Depp supporters of using the trial as an opportunity to belittle and invalidate women rather than support domestic abuse survivors. Morgan Sung, NBC News, 3 June 2022 Dark sets up a tug of war between Agnes’ strident independence and Polly’s deference to her self-important husband and money-hungry eldest son, who belittle her at every turn. Heller Mcalpin, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 July 2022 Then, of course, there are the toxic leaders who belittle and mistreat their workers, actively stripping away their dignity. Ron Carucci, Forbes, 30 June 2022 And while, sure there are some genuine conversations being had on the app, most videos are either purposefully cruel or an attempt to belittle and demean Heard’s testimony in order to support Depp. Katherine Singh, refinery29.com, 3 June 2022 This critique has often been used to belittle pop groups. New York Times, 28 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1782, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Kids Definition
belittle
verb
be·lit·tle bi-ˈli-tᵊl
belittled; belittling
: to make (a person or a thing) seem small or unimportant She belittled his efforts.
belittle
verb
as in to dismiss
to express scornfully one's low opinion of belittled the action star's acting ability Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- dismiss
- minimize
- diminish
- disparage
- denigrate
- criticize
- derogate
- diss
- deprecate
- decry
- bad-mouth
- depreciate
- discount
- denounce
- cry down
- talk down
- run down
- condemn
- discredit
- dislike
- play down
- dump on
- scold
- trash-talk
- trash
- dis
- write off
- vilipend
- poor-mouth
- put down
- vilify
- kiss off
- abuse
- defame
- malign
- slander
- asperse
- disgrace
- censure
- discommend
- slur
- traduce
- reprehend
- rip
- reprobate
- disapprove (of)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- exalt
- applaud
- glorify
- extol
- laud
- magnify
- praise
- endorse
- recommend
- approve
- favor
- commend
- indorse
- sanction
- acclaim
- extoll
- countenance
- compliment
- eulogize
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of belittle are decry, depreciate, and disparage. While all these words mean "to express a low opinion of," belittle usually suggests a contemptuous or envious attitude.
belittled the achievements of others
The words decry and belittle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, decry implies open condemnation with intent to discredit.
decried their defeatist attitude
Although the words depreciate and belittle have much in common, depreciate implies a representing as being of less value than commonly believed.
critics depreciate his plays for being unabashedly sentimental
While the synonyms disparage and belittle are close in meaning, disparage implies depreciation by indirect means such as slighting or invidious comparison.
disparaged polo as a game for the rich