be·lit·tling
bi-ˈli-tᵊl-iŋ 
-ˈlit-liŋ,
bē-
: expressing disparagement : disparaging, depreciatory
a set of belittling stereotypes
"I think it might embarrass Stuart to hear mice mentioned in such a belittling manner."—
E. B. White
E. B. WhiteNisbett's attitude is far from belittling toward Eastern cultures.—Christopher Shea
Christopher SheaThere was … a certain loftiness and sweetness that rebuked your belittling criticisms and stilled them.—Mark Twain
Mark Twain
belittlingly
adverb
… she is secretly carrying on a love affair with her mousy first cousin, belittlingly known to the family as Little Charles …
—Charles Isherwood
Charles Isherwood
: a disparaging statement
Bernheim's fiercely focused, cantankerous Frieda … practically steals the show with her nonstop maternal belittlings …—Robert Hurwitt
: disparagement, deprecation
Robert HurwittHis constant belittling of her work led Joan to believe that she was incompetent …—Sharon Freedburg
Sharon FreedburgExamples of belittling in a Sentence
Adjective
there's no need for belittling comments about your brother's trumpet playing
Recent Examples on the Web
Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 14 Jan. 2023
The boundaries revolve around disrespectful or belittling speech.
—Abigail Van Buren, oregonlive, 28 Sep. 2020
Joan C. Williams
june 13, Literary Hub, 13 June 2025
Hence, Johnny’s constant resentment and belittling of Sofia, the psycho-spawn of Carmine, who, however inadvertently, got his beautiful cousin killed.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for belittling
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.
Adjective
Yet, since sometime before July 23, 2022, an anonymous user has been steadily updating IMDb’s trivia section on Corsage with hostile and belittling comments presented under the guise of background information.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 14 Jan. 2023
The boundaries revolve around disrespectful or belittling speech.
—Abigail Van Buren, oregonlive, 28 Sep. 2020
Noun
This explains Trump’s obsessive bragging about his brilliance and big hands, his weird belittling of the attractiveness of opponents’ wives, his admiration for oh-so-macho Elon Musk.
—Joan C. Williams
june 13, Literary Hub, 13 June 2025
Hence, Johnny’s constant resentment and belittling of Sofia, the psycho-spawn of Carmine, who, however inadvertently, got his beautiful cousin killed.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for belittling
Cite this Entry
“Belittling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/belittling. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share