belittle

[ bih-lit-l ]
See synonyms for belittle on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),be·lit·tled, be·lit·tling.
  1. to regard or portray as less impressive or important than appearances indicate; depreciate; disparage.

Origin of belittle

1
An Americanism dating back to 1775–85; be- + little

Other words for belittle

Other words from belittle

  • be·lit·tle·ment, noun
  • be·lit·tler, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use belittle in a sentence

  • This night the woman of his belittling deprecations was thinking how great and good her husband was.

  • He is weary both of dissipation and of the youthful frivolities 169 which are injuring and belittling him.

  • Far from belittling Descartes, as I much desire to repeat, this rather makes him the greater.

    William Oughtred | Florian Cajori
  • We were unable to find any of those selfish and belittling springs of action which rob great deeds of more than half their glory.

    Our Standard-Bearer | Oliver Optic
  • Why will you insist on belittling everything that you have done?

    The Firefly Of France | Marion Polk Angellotti

British Dictionary definitions for belittle

belittle

/ (bɪˈlɪtəl) /


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

  2. to cause to make small; dwarf

Derived forms of belittle

  • belittlement, noun
  • belittler, noun
  • belittlingly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012