belittle

verb

be·​lit·​tle bi-ˈli-tᵊl How to pronounce belittle (audio)
bē-
belittled; belittling bi-ˈli-tᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce belittle (audio)
-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 matterMark Twain
belittlement noun
belittler
bi-ˈli-tᵊl-ər How to pronounce belittle (audio)
-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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That's not to belittle the effort the developers have put into VR support. Eric Ravenscraft, WIRED, 18 Oct. 2024 In 2016, one of her former classmates, Lauren Bohn, shared her memories of the Facebook group, recalling how the members would belittle Gaga’s ambitions and even trample on flyers for her shows. Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 13 Sep. 2024 But limiting the discussion to that amazing instrument belittles the other talents, and the overall legacy, of a man who was such a giant in so many senses of the word. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2024 At the time, some leaders found his comments belittling and a bad message. Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for belittle 

Word History

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of belittle was in 1782

Dictionary Entries Near belittle

Cite this Entry

“Belittle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/belittle. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

belittle

verb
be·​lit·​tle bi-ˈlit-ᵊl How to pronounce belittle (audio)
belittled; belittling -ˈlit-ᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce belittle (audio)
-ˈlit-liŋ
: to make (a person or a thing) seem little or unimportant
belittle the success of a rival
belittlement noun
belittler
-ˈlit-ᵊl-ər How to pronounce belittle (audio)
-ˈlit-lər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on belittle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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