Definitions

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

“I will not belittle that one bit. But I will say, it’s the curse of a leader.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 20, 2026

“No artist, producer, director, or leader—regardless of legacy or celebrity—should be allowed to weaponize their platform to belittle, threaten, or devalue others without consequence. Period,” the letter states.

From Salon • May 31, 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

All his stories about work had the same arc: somebody would first underestimate or belittle him, and he would then end up victorious, with the final clever word or action.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

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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