Synonym Chooser

How does the verb belittle contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of belittle are decry, depreciate, and disparage. While all these words mean "to express a low opinion of," belittle usually suggests a contemptuous or envious attitude.

belittled the achievements of others

In what contexts can decry take the place of belittle?

The words decry and belittle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, decry implies open condemnation with intent to discredit.

decried their defeatist attitude

Where would depreciate be a reasonable alternative to belittle?

Although the words depreciate and belittle have much in common, depreciate implies a representing as being of less value than commonly believed.

critics depreciate his plays for being unabashedly sentimental

When could disparage be used to replace belittle?

While the synonyms disparage and belittle are close in meaning, disparage implies depreciation by indirect means such as slighting or invidious comparison.

disparaged polo as a game for the rich

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of belittle Examples include belittling comments, patronizing questions, frequent interruptions, eye-rolling, sarcasm and mean jokes. 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
  • The charge was dismissed after Baldwin's attorneys alleged prosecutors had withheld evidence.
    Sharareh Drury, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • He was then demoted, before being dismissed after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent asked President Donald Trump to remove him from that position.
    Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Properly applied mulch prevents weed seeds from reaching the soil, stopping weed growth and minimizing competition for nutrients and water.
    Maryal Miller Carter, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • This eliminates manual scaling inefficiencies, ensuring high availability while minimizing energy consumption.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, a more constrained and domestically focused healthcare agenda is likely to diminish trust in federal health agencies, limit access to culturally competent care and produce a loss of global leadership in health innovation.
    Robert Pearl, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Whereas a decline in home values diminishes the equity investors might hold in their properties, which limits their ability to leverage assets for additional investments or refinancing opportunities.
    William Jones, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • And his record was disparaged by some of the more conservative cardinals and members of the Church.
    Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2025
  • 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
  • Respecting, not denigrating the institutions designed to defend American democracy is one of the most important.
    Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Superpower Weaponry One of the things that makes America truly exceptional throughout the world—its core principle of assimilating immigrants who strive for a safer, freer life—has been denigrated for the sake of short-term political gain.
    Penny Abeywardena, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • She was criticized by some for her expensive timepiece and for using prisoners as production props.
    Michael Collins, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Carey criticized laissez-faire economics for degrading the British working class.
    Made by History, Time, 28 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Belittle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belittle. Accessed 7 May. 2025.

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