as in criticism
the act of making a person or a thing seem little or unimportant
an unconscionable belittlement of his assistant in public
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of belittlement
Apolline may embrace the social media aspects of her career but George’s belittlement rankles her.
—
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug. 2025
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belittlement
Noun
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Verbeek’s trade with Philadelphia to acquire Gauthier in January 2024 has been widely praised, but his decision to ship center Trevor Zegras to the Flyers last summer has received criticism while Zegras thrives in Philadelphia.—
Greg Beacham,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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The sheriff previously declined to honor certain federal immigration detainers, drawing criticism from state lawmakers and prompting legislative changes.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Nowhere is there the vitriol or denigration found in MAGA gatherings.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
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From the start, the denigration of the Iranian monarchy was at the center of the Islamic Republic’s official ideology.—
Azadeh Moaveni,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
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And though Chalamet did not make such insults himself, his comments fit into this broader context of disparagement and dismissal.—
Chloe Angyal,
Time,
9 Mar. 2026
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As February ended, some of the things coming out of the coaches’ mouths felt more like despair than disparagement.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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His quest to fly causes troubles in his family, condemnation from the conservative society and even warnings from the security personnel in the city as flying in Diyarbakir is a security concern for the state.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
8 Apr. 2026
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The event's organizers had been under mounting pressure from sponsors and politicians to cancel the gigs by the rapper, who has drawn widespread condemnation for making antisemitic remarks and voicing admiration for Adolf Hitler.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Robinsons have denied the allegations and counter-sued the women for defamation and elder abuse.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
13 Apr. 2026
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The group has faced multiple defamation lawsuits from those who were fired; only one has been elevated to federal court.—
Mikayla Price,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Earlier that year, Orbán’s government was rocked by public furor over the decision by Hungary’s president, Katalin Novák, to pardon the deputy director of a children’s home who had helped cover up the abuse of underaged boys.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
12 Apr. 2026
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In some cases, these measures may even invite abuse.—
Mike Smith,
Denver Post,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Terms like gaman—spelled with the kanji 我 (ego, I, selfish, our, oneself) and 慢 (ridicule, laziness)—are proof of this, as are the kigo terms that describe the emotions of the changing seasons, like kachōfūgetsu—composed of the kanji 花 (flower), 鳥 (bird), 風 (wind), and月(moon).—
Caleb Jacobs,
The Drive,
9 Apr. 2026
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The design immediately drew ridicule from some critics who likened the arches to a giant tarantula attacking downtown Miami, or the arches on a McDonald’s outlet.—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Mercer notes that currency depreciation in these places is the driving force behind their more affordable status.—
Amelia Mularz,
Architectural Digest,
14 Apr. 2026
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Shevlin, of FlyUSA, said his company benefited from the tax law, which included a provision called bonus depreciation that allows business owners to deduct the full cost of equipment, including a private jet, from their taxes the year it is purchased, even if it is partly used for personal trips.—
Shannon Pettypiece,
NBC news,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Belittlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belittlement. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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