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
Meeting a partner’s family can be challenging in any circumstance; anxieties about a family member saying something rude or belittling can only compound that.
—
R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Tanya Reynolds offers a broader glimpse of Caroline Bingley, a character who often belittles Mary.
—Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
The president belittled Bray on social media and threatened to support a primary challenger, and still Bray wouldn’t budge.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2026
Dear Coop Community, At a recent general meeting, a member was allowed to belittle and vilify fellow members who signed the petition opposing the Israeli government’s escalating mistreatment of the Palestinian people.
—Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for belittle
R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Tanya Reynolds offers a broader glimpse of Caroline Bingley, a character who often belittles Mary.
—Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
The president belittled Bray on social media and threatened to support a primary challenger, and still Bray wouldn’t budge.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2026
Dear Coop Community, At a recent general meeting, a member was allowed to belittle and vilify fellow members who signed the petition opposing the Israeli government’s escalating mistreatment of the Palestinian people.
—Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for belittle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belittle
Verb
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The lawsuit was eventually dismissed.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
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The ruling came after similar cases in Michigan and Georgia were dismissed by the courts and a special prosecutor dropped a federal case in late 2024 that charged Trump with conspiring to overturn the 2020 election.—
Jacques Billeaud,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Protect your mower by minimizing grass buildup with these 4 tips.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 June 2026
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His medical team also worked carefully to minimize the emotional challenges that could accompany the process.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
6 June 2026
Verb
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According to the alliance, the theme emphasizes the LGBTQ+ community's place in American society, calls for resistance against efforts to diminish their rights and visibility and encourages people to live openly, proudly and without apology.—
Mike Stunson,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
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Confidence Doesn’t Require an Apology Corporate culture often reinforces self-diminishing behavior.—
Kelly Ehlers,
Rolling Stone,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Many of these Catholic newcomers, fleeing famine and persecution, were disparaged as poor, illiterate and superstitious.—
Matthew Smith,
The Conversation,
8 June 2026
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The county civil grand jury concluded the school board canceled the contract based on a misrepresentation of the facts, failed to act in students’ best interest, disparaged the school community and took actions that were supposed to be handled by district staff.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2026
Verb
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As a result, the neo-Brandeisian network played an important role in promoting Lynn’s allies and denigrating competing candidates.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
26 May 2026
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Anyway, there was a tendency by some people to focus on a person and deify them and denigrate the others.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Raman wasn’t endorsed by any of her colleagues on the City Council, and she has been criticized by some community leaders in her district for not paying close enough attention to their concerns.—
Noah Goldberg,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
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The Grand Prix has been criticized as a processional where Saturday hot laps decide the result.—
Sahil Kapur,
NBC news,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Belittle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belittle. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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