belittle

verb

be·​lit·​tle bi-ˈli-tᵊl How to pronounce belittle (audio)
bē-
belittled; belittling bi-ˈli-tᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce belittle (audio)
-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 matterMark Twain
belittlement noun
belittler
bi-ˈli-tᵊl-ər How to pronounce belittle (audio)
-ˈlit-lər
bē-
noun
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for belittle

Word History

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of belittle was in 1782

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Belittle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/belittle. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

belittle

verb
be·​lit·​tle bi-ˈlit-ᵊl How to pronounce belittle (audio)
belittled; belittling -ˈlit-ᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce belittle (audio)
-ˈlit-liŋ
: to make (a person or a thing) seem little or unimportant
belittle the success of a rival
belittlement noun
belittler
-ˈlit-ᵊl-ər How to pronounce belittle (audio)
-ˈlit-lər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on belittle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!