belittle

[bih-lit-l] / bɪˈlɪt l /

VERB

detract

Synonyms

STRONGEST

criticize decry deride discredit disparage downplay scorn underestimate

STRONG

deprecate depreciate derogate diminish discount downgrade knock lower minimize pan rip roast slam smear trivialize underrate undervalue

WEAK

bad-mouth cut down to size cut to the quick dispraise dump on pooh pooh poor-mouth put down run down scoff at shoot down shoot full of holes sneer at take a swipe at take down take down a peg tear down write off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

approve commend compliment flatter laud praise

STRONG

enlarge increase overestimate overrate overvalue raise upgrade

WEAK

build up exaggerate value

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.

As a Wisconsin grad, and something of a known jerk, my usual move here is to get snarky and belittle the University of Michigan’s brand new national championship in men’s basketball.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

Taiwan declined to comment on its accuracy, but called it a “crude and clumsy” effort to divide Taiwanese society, belittle the government and hurt morale.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026

Although he celebrated intensely, Crawford did not belittle Álvarez, acknowledging the quality of the former champion.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 15, 2025

"There are ways of doing things that don't ostracise people or belittle them. I don't like belittlement."

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2025

Her sisters, older and not married, belittle her, treating the whole idea of the marriage scornfully, Vincent reports to Theo.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman

Vocabulary lists containing belittle

100 SAT Words Beginning with "B"

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Vocabulary from the Third and Final Presidential Debate, October 19, 2016

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This Week in Words: September 29 - October 5, 2018

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