belittle

1 of 2

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

belittlement

2 of 2

noun

be·​lit·​tle·​ment bi-ˈli-tᵊl-mənt 

bē-

plural -s

: the act of belittling

Synonyms of belittle

Verb

• 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

Verb

The critic belittled the author's work.

Her detractors are in the habit of belittling her accomplishments.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Trump publicly attacked and belittled Harris throughout their 2024 campaigns. — Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026

The list of analysts who have spent years belittling Allen is extensive. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2026

Will’s obsessive, put-upon mother, Susan (Tandi Wright), belittles Alice, dresses her down for her attire at the funeral, and forces her to wear heels that don’t fit, leaving her feet bloody. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 10 July 2026

Platner insulted members of the military and belittled Bronze Star winners. — Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 9 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

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