as in dismisses
to express scornfully one's low opinion of
belittled the action star's acting ability
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Recent Examples of belittles
Morin says these conversations can strengthen a healthy relationship, or point out flaws in an unhealthy one, such as if your partner fails to take you seriously or belittles your feelings.
—
Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
Douglas belittles his son’s erratic career.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
But there are many people with a voice that belittles them.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2025
Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
Douglas belittles his son’s erratic career.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
But there are many people with a voice that belittles them.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belittles
Verb
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Henry dismisses Yasmin but can’t shake the niggling feeling that his wife isn’t entirely wrong.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
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Eduardo Bolsonaro dismisses concerns that the current electoral scenario could split the vote and lead to a first-round electoral victory for Lula.—
David Unsworth,
FOXNews.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Instead, the Bulls plan to keep him sidelined until his pain diminishes, at which point he would be cleared to play again.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
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But many in Hollywood said to defend Davidson diminishes the pain the situation caused.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The designer explains that integrating appliances behind kitchen cabinetry minimizes visual clutter and allows the room's architecture to take the lead.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Feb. 2026
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These materials reduce the risk of attachments overheating or snagging, creating a gentle blow-dry that minimizes breakage and split ends.—
Essence Wiley,
InStyle,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Quintanilla criticizes opponents Johnson and Allred for wealth, stock trades, and immigration votes, positioning himself as a candidate who prioritizes immigrant families, small businesses, drug rehabilitation, senior relief, and local development programs.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
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Since last fall, the Media Research Center, a right-wing organization that criticizes legacy media outlets, has turned its attention on Apple News’ story selection.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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There may not be campaign materials, including clothing that promotes or disparages any candidate on the ballot within 100 feet of the entrance to polling places.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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Westman had decorated the assault rifle and shotgun with hate speech in ways that aligned with the dark underbelly of alt-right meme culture that regularly disparages people of color, Jewish people, the LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Belittles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belittles. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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