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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in dismissing
to express scornfully one's low opinion of
belittled the action star's acting ability
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of belittling
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Jan. 2026
Dante Gabriel Rossetti could always cheer himself up by belittling William Morris.
—
Literary Hub,
18 Dec. 2025
Pritchard is taking over for interim head coach Frank Reich, who replaced Troy Taylor in the spring after Taylor was dismissed for allegations of bullying and belittling staff.
—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
29 Nov. 2025
Self respect/love is a strong virtue, tolerating belittling is toxic.
—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belittling
Verb
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
Pritchard is taking over for interim head coach Frank Reich, who replaced Troy Taylor in the spring after Taylor was dismissed for allegations of bullying and belittling staff.
—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
29 Nov. 2025
Self respect/love is a strong virtue, tolerating belittling is toxic.
—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belittling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belittling
Adjective
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Considering there were only 33 appearances this past season, such Heat prudence hardly could be viewed as insulting.
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What Florence has been doing is consistent and insulting.
Verb
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Integration Calling genomics the most powerful data asset in biopharma does not mean dismissing other data types.
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For now, Comcast is dismissing M&A talk, but there also is the matter of timing.
Adjective
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Some women who filed lawsuits against Ortega reported they had been confused about whether demeaning or uncomfortable actions the doctor engaged in during exams was within the bounds of necessary medical behavior.
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Some of the women interviewed for the article claimed that Platner could be demeaning to women and, in at least one case, even physically threatening.
Verb
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Its quick-release, tool-free battery system enables operators to swap batteries within seconds, minimizing downtime during industrial inspections, security patrols, and disaster response operations.
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Scott Barnes, Jennifer Lopez’s longtime makeup artist, considers the ingredients of this Korean sunscreen a plus for minimizing the look of pores, while delivering other benefits to aging skin.
Adjective
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Felix points to Trump’s disparaging and false comments against Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, which put a target on the back of many Haitian immigrants.
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While Trump’s talk of a possible NATO pullout dates back years, the comments to The Telegraph newspaper in the U.K., published Wednesday, were among the clearest and most disparaging yet — suggesting that the fracture has deepened perhaps to a point of no return.
Verb
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While professionals still seek performance upgrades, consumers increasingly view MacBooks as durable household appliances, diminishing the traditional annual upgrade cycle.
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While Doral, Sweetwater, Tamiami and other areas near the fires did not see evacuations, officials warned air quality was diminishing due to the smoke, which could have caused health issues for some residents.
Adjective
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No one should be subject to listening to the most degrading and profane words that now seem popular with some people.
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According to the company, the electronic attack variant is intended to provide non-kinetic effects on the battlefield by disrupting and degrading enemy sensors and reconnaissance networks.
Verb
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Several had a history of criticizing vaccine recommendations or questioning their safety.
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From Lebanon, Ghosn seized the moment, criticizing current leadership and offering himself as a solution.
Cite this Entry
“Belittling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belittling. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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