belittle

[ bih-lit-l ]

verb (used with object)

, be·lit·tled, be·lit·tling.

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

Derived Forms

• beˈlittlement, noun
• beˈlittlingly, adverb
• beˈlittler, noun

Other Words From

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of belittle¹

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

Example Sentences

Musk has long belittled fuel-cell vehicles and Trump has often talked about hydrogen cars blowing up like an “atomic bomb.”

From Los Angeles Times

“They ridiculed us and belittled us,” she said of her opponents, adding that they called her “every depraved slur in the book.”

From Los Angeles Times

In book excerpts serialised by the Times,, external Care described Jones overseeing a "toxic environment", in which the Australian would belittle and berate players and staff.

From BBC

“It’s just another example of how he really belittles our country,” Harris said in a press conference on Friday.

From Salon

She said Hagekhalil’s “preference for male colleagues/staff over me has continued to sow the seeds of sexism and belittling.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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