Synonyms of belittling

belittling 1 of 2

adjective

bi-ˈli-tᵊl-iŋ 

as in slighting

intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value

there's no need for belittling comments about your brother's trumpet playing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• slighting
• insulting
• demeaning
• disparaging
• degrading
• derogatory
• malicious
• contemptuous
• abusive
• uncomplimentary
• critical
• disdainful
• pejorative
• scornful
• deprecatory
• depreciatory
• derogative
• hateful
• derisory
• venomous
• denigratory
• depreciative
• decrying
• libelous
• detractive
• nasty
• cruel
• denigrative
• slanderous
• unkind
• spiteful
• slandering
• defamatory
• vilifying
• scurrilous
• maligning
• malign
• calumnious
• mean
• malevolent
• jealous
• malignant
• opprobrious
• catty
• virulent
• envious
• despiteful
• bitter
• resentful
• denunciatory
• caustic
• aspersing
• scathing
• acrimonious
• rancorous
• acrid
• jaundiced
• denunciative

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• laudatory
• commendatory
• positive
• complimentary
• admiring
• friendly
• approving
• respectful
• appreciative
• adulatory
• applauding
• kind
• laudative
• sympathetic
• warm
• kindly
• kindhearted
• warmhearted
• unmalicious

belittling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of belittle

as in dismissing

to express scornfully one's low opinion of

belittled the action star's acting ability

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dismissing
• minimizing
• diminishing
• criticizing
• disparaging
• denigrating
• discounting
• derogating
• denouncing
• decrying
• depreciating
• deprecating
• condemning
• bad-mouthing
• running down
• trashing
• talking down
• dissing
• trash-talking
• disliking
• crying down
• dumping on
• playing down
• discrediting
• scolding
• writing off
• poor-mouthing
• vilipending
• abusing
• putting down
• slandering
• kissing off
• maligning
• vilifying
• disgracing
• censuring
• defaming
• disapproving (of)
• slurring
• ripping
• discommending
• traducing
• aspersing
• reprobating
• reprehending

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praising
• applauding
• extolling
• exalting
• glorifying
• approving
• magnifying
• recommending
• endorsing
• favoring
• lauding
• sanctioning
• commending
• acclaiming
• complimenting
• countenancing
• eulogizing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of belittling

Adjective

Yet, since sometime before July 23, 2022, an anonymous user has been steadily updating IMDb’s trivia section on Corsage with hostile and belittling comments presented under the guise of background information. — Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 14 Jan. 2023

The boundaries revolve around disrespectful or belittling speech. — Abigail Van Buren, oregonlive, 28 Sep. 2020

Verb

The list of analysts who have spent years belittling Allen is extensive. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2026

The remark was meant to be an insult, belittling a company that seemed to care more about hardware profit margins than design and innovation. — Janko Roettgers, The Verge, 28 May 2026

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

The ruthlessness of the producers cutting folk off mid-speech or retracting the microphone and upping the music volume was belittling to those on stage. — Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026

Link was captured on Ring camera footage mocking and belittling Jimenez after shooting him, prosecutors say. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026

This year begins with the familiar sound of politicians belittling each other and seeking attention by any means. — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 12 Jan. 2026

Dante Gabriel Rossetti​ could always cheer himself up by belittling William Morris. — Literary Hub, 18 Dec. 2025

Self respect/love is a strong virtue, tolerating belittling is toxic. — Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025