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

belittlement

bi-ˈli-tᵊl-mənt 

bē-

noun

belittler

bi-ˈli-tᵊl-ər 

-ˈlit-lər, 

bē-

noun

Synonyms of belittle

• dismiss
• minimize
• diminish
• disparage
• denigrate
• criticize

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

The president belittled Bray on social media and threatened to support a primary challenger, and still Bray wouldn’t budge. —Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2026

According to the suit, she was humiliated by fellow staff members and belittled due to her race, country of origin, religion and immigration status. —Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026

Dear Coop Community, At a recent general meeting, a member was allowed to belittle and vilify fellow members who signed the petition opposing the Israeli government’s escalating mistreatment of the Palestinian people. —Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026

The ruthlessness of the producers cutting folk off mid-speech or retracting the microphone and upping the music volume was belittling to those on stage. —Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for belittle

• brittle
• kittel
• kittle
• little
• spital
• spittle
• tittle
• whittle
• acquittal
• committal
• hospital
• submittal

Kids Definition

belittle

verb

be·​lit·​tle bi-ˈlit-ᵊl 

belittled; belittling -ˈlit-ᵊl-iŋ 

-ˈlit-liŋ

: to make (a person or a thing) seem little or unimportant

belittle the success of a rival

belittlement

-ᵊl-mənt 

noun

belittler

-ˈlit-ᵊl-ər 

-ˈlit-lər

noun