as in to dismiss
to express scornfully one's low opinion of
belittled the action star's acting ability
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of belittle
Examples include belittling comments, patronizing questions, frequent interruptions, eye-rolling, sarcasm and mean jokes.
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Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
Think Regina George in Mean Girls, Blair Waldorf in Gossip Girl, or Cher Horowitz in Clueless—characters who derive power from their ability to belittle and exclude.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 8 Apr. 2025
Taylor Swift’s name was invoked before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday as Congress members grilled national security officials about the recent use of a commercially available messaging app to discuss sensitive war plans, while belittling European allies.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2025
Oswalt used verbal abuse and belittling to motivate him to build his confidence to take the leap himself — or some nonsense similar to that.
—Ayan Artan, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belittle
Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
Think Regina George in Mean Girls, Blair Waldorf in Gossip Girl, or Cher Horowitz in Clueless—characters who derive power from their ability to belittle and exclude.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 8 Apr. 2025
Taylor Swift’s name was invoked before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday as Congress members grilled national security officials about the recent use of a commercially available messaging app to discuss sensitive war plans, while belittling European allies.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2025
Oswalt used verbal abuse and belittling to motivate him to build his confidence to take the leap himself — or some nonsense similar to that.
—Ayan Artan, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belittle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belittle
Verb
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The charge was dismissed after Baldwin's attorneys alleged prosecutors had withheld evidence.—
Sharareh Drury,
People.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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Judge dismisses Alec Baldwin's criminal case, actor thanks fans on Instagram In July 2024, a New Mexico judge stunned prosecutors by dismissing the charges against Baldwin.—
Marco della Cava,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Recycling reduces environmental strain by minimizing waste and the need for new resources.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 May 2025
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Each peptide tackles a different task (like minimizing expression lines or fading dark spots), while calming cica and barrier-loving oils like olive, jojoba, and moringa keep skin nourished and soothed.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
8 May 2025
Verb
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Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 May 2025
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Trump also alluded briefly to the diminishing trade between the U.S. and China in the wake of the tariff standoff when a reporter asked about falling container volumes at U.S. ports.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
8 May 2025
Verb
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And his record was disparaged by some of the more conservative cardinals and members of the Church.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2025
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In areas as disparate as education and international sports, authoritarian governments and their allies in media work to stigmatize liberal ideas, disparage the record of Western democracy, and offer visions of a post-liberal order led by China and others in its orbit.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Recommending most investors just own an S & P 500 index fund — and suggesting individual stocks are too risky for most people — comes across as denigrating your abilities.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
27 Apr. 2025
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His comments drew furious rebukes from his federal election rivals who accused him of denigrating the nation.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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She was criticized by some for her expensive timepiece and for using prisoners as production props.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
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Carey criticized laissez-faire economics for degrading the British working class.—
Made by History,
Time,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Belittle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belittle. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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