belittle

[bih-lit-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

belittle

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• belittlement noun
• belittler noun
• belittlingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of belittle¹

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

Example Sentences

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

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

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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.

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

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Examples include “fostering a vibrant marketplace of ideas” and “abolishing institutional units that purposefully punish, belittle, and even spark violence against conservative ideas.”

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Related Words

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