belittle

verb

be·lit·tle | \bi-ˈli-tᵊl,

bē-\

belittled; belittling\ bi-ˈli-tᵊl-iŋ ,

-ˈlit-liŋ, bē- \

Definition of belittle

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

Other Words from belittle Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about belittle

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Other Words from belittle

belittlement \ bi-ˈli-tᵊl-mənt ,

bē- \ noun

belittler \ bi-ˈli-tᵊl-ər ,

-ˈlit-lər, bē- \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for belittle

decry, depreciate, disparage, belittle mean to express a low opinion of. decry implies open condemnation with intent to discredit. decried their defeatist attitude depreciate implies a representing as being of less value than commonly believed. critics depreciate his plays for being unabashedly sentimental disparage implies depreciation by indirect means such as slighting or invidious comparison. disparaged polo as a game for the rich belittle usually suggests a contemptuous or envious attitude. belittled the achievements of others

Examples of belittle in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

For months now, President Trump had been humiliating his top law enforcement official, belittling him in public and yelling at him in private, in a clear attempt to force his resignation. — Zack Beauchamp, Vox, "We aren’t alarmed enough about Jeff Sessions’s firing," 8 Nov. 2018 Yet people have found an opportunity to belittle, as opposed to understanding how painful those kinds of recollections are. — Olivia Fleming, Harper's BAZAAR, "Ana Maria Archila and Maria Gallagher Open Up About Confronting Jeff Flake in the Elevator," 29 Oct. 2018 The woman alleged in subsequent testimony that Greitens had restrained, slapped, shoved and belittled her. — Washington Post, "Missouri governor quits in scandal, signs ‘revenge porn’ law," 2 June 2018 Many on both the right and left are either mocking or belittling his legacy (or his prospects over the next nine months). — The Christian Science Monitor, "Did Paul Ryan leave them rolling in the aisles?," 12 Apr. 2018 In other cases, the state noted staff belittled children or left them without supervision. — Allie Morris, San Antonio Express-News, "Texas has found 150 health violations at migrant children shelters," 8 June 2018 Law clerks and externs from numerous federal courts shared with us that they had felt demeaned, belittled, or humiliated during their clerkships or externships. — Joan Biskupic, CNN, "Senate Judiciary Committee takes up #MeToo in the courts," 13 June 2018 Nobody tried to belittle a rival with an insulting nickname. — Michael Dresser, baltimoresun.com, "Democratic candidates for Maryland governor struggle to break away from pack at GBC forum," 27 Apr. 2018 Or risk more lives being taken away in shooting after shooting while Republicans continue to belittle us with thoughts and prayers. — refinery29.com, "The Capital Gazette Shooting Is A Tragic Reminder: Take Abuse Of Women Seriously.," 29 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'belittle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.