belittle

verb

be·​lit·​tle bi-ˈli-tᵊl 

bē-

belittled; belittling bi-ˈli-tᵊl-iŋ 

-ˈlit-liŋ,

bē-

transitive verb

1

: to speak slightingly of : disparage

belittles her efforts

2

: to cause (a person or thing) to seem little or less

a curiosity so vast that it almost belittled the main matter

—Mark Twain

belittlement

bi-ˈli-tᵊl-mənt 

bē-

noun

belittler

bi-ˈli-tᵊl-ər 

-ˈlit-lər

bē-

noun

Synonyms

• bad-mouth
• cry down
• decry
• denigrate
• deprecate
• depreciate
• derogate
• diminish
• dis [slang]
• diss
• discount
• dismiss
• disparage
• kiss off
• minimize
• play down
• poor-mouth
• put down
• run down
• talk down
• trash
• trash-talk
• vilipend
• write off

Choose the Right Synonym for belittle

decry, depreciate, disparage, belittle mean to express a low opinion of.

decry implies open condemnation with intent to discredit.

decried their defeatist attitude

depreciate implies a representing as being of less value than commonly believed.

critics depreciate his plays for being unabashedly sentimental

disparage implies depreciation by indirect means such as slighting or invidious comparison.

disparaged polo as a game for the rich

belittle usually suggests a contemptuous or envious attitude.

belittled the achievements of others

Examples of belittle in a Sentence

The critic belittled the author's work.

Her detractors are in the habit of belittling her accomplishments.

Recent Examples on the Web

During his visit to Europe last week, however, Mr. Vance belittled the idea that a foreign adversary like Russia could sway an election in a strong democratic nation, referring to accusations that resulted in Romania overturning the first round of voting in its election. —Steven Lee Myers, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025

In a way, the elimination of the penny is the perfect sort of move for our new, belittling leader. —airmail.news, 15 Feb. 2025

Others lose a sense of trust by the sarcastic digs, eye rolls, interrupting, or belittling. —Rachel Glik, Contributor, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2025

George Papadopoulos Though President Trump once belittled him, Trump pardoned his former campaign aide on Dec. 22, 2020. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for belittle

• brittle
• kittel
• kittle
• little
• spital
• spittle
• tittle
• whittle
• acquittal
• committal
• hospital
• submittal

Kids Definition

belittle

verb

be·​lit·​tle bi-ˈlit-ᵊl 

belittled; belittling -ˈlit-ᵊl-iŋ 

-ˈlit-liŋ

: to make (a person or a thing) seem little or unimportant

belittle the success of a rival

belittlement

-ᵊl-mənt 

noun

belittler

-ˈlit-ᵊl-ər 

-ˈlit-lər

noun