belittles

VERB

detract

Synonyms

STRONGEST

criticize decry deride discredit disparage downplay scorn squelch underestimate

STRONG

blister deprecate depreciate derogate diminish discount downgrade knock lower minimize pan rip roast scorch slam smear squash 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 sour grapes 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.

That this is the fact we may learn from bronze eolipiles, and thus by means of a scientific invention discover a divine truth lurking in the laws of the heavens.

From The Ten Books on Architecture by Vitruvius Pollio