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

  • We can leave that in doubt, and not grudge the belittlers of important events their satisfaction.

    Royal Highness | Thomas Mann

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