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 matter Mark Twain
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.
My only concern is this: don’t belittle storied teams from continents other than Europe for taking this one seriously and with passion. Jack Lang, New York Times, 18 June 2025 No matter how often Ferd strikes and belittles her, Isabelle always manages to brush herself off and turn her pain into art. Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 June 2025 Contempt Contempt includes lashing out in disdain, berating and belittling, using menacing language, and trashing your partner’s character. Kelley J. Brower, CNBC, 5 June 2025 George Papadopoulos Though President Trump once belittled him, Trump pardoned his former campaign aide on Dec. 22, 2020. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 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

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Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

belittle

verb
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

More from Merriam-Webster on belittle

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