belittle

American  

[bih-lit-l] / bɪˈlɪt l /

verb (used with object)

belittled, belittling

1. to regard or portray as less little impressive or important than appearances indicate; depreciate; disparage.

   Synonyms:

   dismiss , scorn , deride , deprecate , decry , minimize

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belittle British  

/ bɪˈlɪtəl /

verb

1. to consider or speak of (something) as less valuable or important than it really is; disparage

2. to cause to make small; dwarf

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Other Word Forms

• belittlement noun
• belittler noun
• belittlingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of belittle

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85; be- + little

Example Sentences

Given that AI uses a tremendous amount of energy and water, public servants should be applying it towards solving society’s most intractable problems, not creating racist tropes or belittling people for exercising their democratic rights.

From Salon

What he belittles as intramural squabbling is the difficult and necessary work of moral and political hygiene for the conservative movement—and the country.

From The Wall Street Journal

Others believe it is a misguided venture and sets up an opportunity for women's tennis to be belittled if Sabalenka loses.

From BBC

Others believe it is a misguided venture - organised by the Evolve agency which the players both share - and sets up an opportunity for women's sport to be belittled if Sabalenka is beaten by Kyrgios.

From BBC

The compact pushes schools to begin “transforming or abolishing institutional units that purposefully punish, belittle, and even spark violence against conservative ideas.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• criticize
• decry
• deride
• discredit
• disparage
• downplay
• scorn
• underestimate