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.

"When you're in politics... or whatever your line of work, you should not be attacked personally. And certainly not AI used to belittle you."

From BBC • Mar. 9, 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

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

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2025

He set out to provoke and belittle the Ukrainian leader.

From Salon • Mar. 4, 2025

It don’t ask me to humble myself and belittle myself.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

belittle

Example Sentences

Related Words