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 Despite her obvious capabilities, Hayes is hemmed in time and time again by her white, belittling bosses. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 May 2025 Leave behind the screaming and belittling behaviors that breed unsafe environments for students. The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 15 May 2025 Rivals in Defensive Player of the Year discussions for nearly a decade, Green has often belittled Gobert and his impact on the court. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 6 May 2025 If she feels belittled by him in any way, that's a different conversation. Malaka Gharib, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for belittle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belittle
Verb
  • Despite seeking help from her local GP, her concerns were initially dismissed.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 6 June 2025
  • The lawsuit sparked a years-long legal battle that was ultimately voluntarily dismissed in late 2022.
    Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Here are recommendations for maintaining safety during a thunderstorm: To minimize risk of being struck by lightning, when going outside, have a plan to get to a safer place.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2025
  • While not always the case, most stairwells are located in the center of a building, away from windows and exterior walls, which can help minimize damage from weather events.
    Maddie Topliff, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 June 2025
Verb
  • Augmenting Human Relationships with AI AI's role in enhancing efficiency does not diminish the need for human expertise in B2B interactions.
    John Bruno, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • The 25-year-old’s sample might be small, but in an era of diminishing workloads, Zack Wheeler and Max Fried are the only current starters averaging 6 1/3 innings.
    Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • For some reason, backup quarterbacks who make decent money are often disparaged when they should be celebrated.
    Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 5 June 2025
  • The leader responded on social media, disparaging Springsteen, and the rocker made sure to include his speech on the EP — a move that may have helped turn it into a bestseller.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • Orozco’s stickers of abstraction posed the question of whether abstraction—denigrated to its lowest possible level—could now serve as a last sign of resistance and redemption from the totalitarian conditions of reification.
    Benjamin H. D. Buchloh, Artforum, 1 June 2025
  • Sensational journalism brought national attention to the feuding families and spawned the hillbilly stereotypes that still denigrate rural Appalachians.
    Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • At the same time, Lively was freshly criticized for her reaction to an interviewer in a resurfaced 2016 clip.
    Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • The document was quickly criticized for errors and citing studies that don’t exist, as first reported by NOTUS, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news site.
    Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 3 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Belittle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belittle. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on belittle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!