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 answer is not to belittle the fear, but to make visible commitments people can judge. — Bob Pearson, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Meanwhile, Adelaide’s grandmother belittles the pianoforte the girl pines for, calling it an expensive toy. — Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026

Those who love the club could only watch as its past successes were belittled and its fans became the butt of jokes – or, as one supporter told me, shouted at in a grocery store for wearing the club colors. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

That point is proved time and again, as editors scheme against each other, belittle each other’s literary taste and throw Batter under the bus whenever an opportunity arises. — Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 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
• popliteal

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