belittle
verb (used with object)
to regard or portray as less impressive or important than appearances indicate; depreciate; disparage.
were belittling
-
past progressiveof belittle.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He said he suggested the change because he felt the original terms were belittling to those seeking to work through the immigration process.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 27, 2021
But even his parents’ nontoxic terms of endearment were belittling suggestions that he was nothing more than an extension of them.
From Slate ● Jan. 8, 2014
Her temperamental players, who felt the fans and the writers were belittling their talents, made headlines by threatening to boycott the press.
From Time Magazine Archive
The innuendoes which belittled David Rossi were belittling herself as well, and she wanted to get up and fly.
From The Eternal City by Caine, Hall, Sir
