belittle

be·lit·tle

transitive verb \bi-ˈli-t^əl, bē-\

be·lit·tled be·lit·tling\-ˈli-t^əl-iŋ, -ˈlit-liŋ\

Definition of BELITTLE

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>

— be·lit·tle·ment \-ˈli-t^əl-mənt\ noun

— be·lit·tler \-ˈli-t^əl-ər, -ˈlit-lər\ noun

Examples of BELITTLE

1. The critic belittled the author's work.
2. Her detractors are in the habit of belittling her accomplishments.

First Known Use of BELITTLE

1797

Related to BELITTLE

Synonyms

bad-mouth, decry, cry down, denigrate, deprecate, depreciate, derogate, diminish, dis (also diss) [slang], discount, dismiss, disparage, kiss off, minimize, play down, poor-mouth, put down, run down, talk down, trash, trash-talk, vilipend, write off

Antonyms

acclaim, applaud, exalt, extol (also extoll), glorify, laud, magnify, praise

Related Words

discommend; abuse, scold; disapprove (of), dislike; censure, condemn, criticize, denounce, reprehend, reprobate; asperse, defame, malign, rip, slander, slur, traduce, vilify; discredit, disgrace

Near Antonyms

approve, countenance, endorse (also indorse), favor, recommend, sanction; commend, compliment, eulogize

See Synonym Discussion at decry

Rhymes with BELITTLE

a little, in little