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belittle

[bih-lit-l] / bɪˈlɪt l /


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.

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Chinese diplomats told me the staging wasn’t meant to belittle Putin, noting that the two figures occupy roughly equal portions of the picture’s frame.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 21, 2026

Chinese diplomats told the Journal that the staging wasn’t meant to belittle Putin in any way.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 14, 2026

"When you go overseas, respect the local customs and culture. You can choose not to eat it. There is no need to belittle our food," said one comment on Weibo.

From BBC Sep. 17, 2025

“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

But then I realize that he’s not trying to dismiss or belittle my feelings.

From "Everything, Everything" by Nicola Yoon

Anything less belittles the very point of a university education.

From Los Angeles Times Oct. 5, 2025

“There will be no compromise with any party that challenges, belittles or violates Malaysian laws,” he said in a statement on Facebook.

From Seattle Times Jul. 22, 2023

Ibsen’s heroine, Nora, initially seems naïve and dependent on her husband, but she becomes disillusioned with how he controls and belittles her.

From New York Times Feb. 22, 2023

"We are part of it and we will not spare any effort to defend it from anyone who abuses or belittles it."

From Reuters Feb. 19, 2023

“Not monster movies. My sister, as usual, belittles my chosen medium. Want to know the tide?”

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

It is fascinating to me that Thomas, who genuinely feels belittled by every single thing that has ever happened to him, has somehow gotten smaller on the job.

From Slate Apr. 17, 2026

US President Donald Trump said Friday that Colombian President Gustavo Petro, a leftist his administration long belittled, will visit the White House next month as he voiced optimism for ties.

From Barron's Jan. 9, 2026

It prompts other team members to drop out of the discussion or withhold information, fearing that they will be belittled if they speak up.

From The Wall Street Journal Dec. 19, 2025

Anyone presenting information not approved by the ruler is denounced and belittled, ostracized and denied access.

From Salon Oct. 10, 2025

The Party shall continue unabated, in full festival Mode, for some few weeks thereafter, or until the belittled Pestilence has run its course through the Assembled.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson

Given that AI uses a tremendous amount of energy and water, public servants should be applying it towards solving society’s most intractable problems, not creating racist tropes or belittling people for exercising their democratic rights.

From Salon Nov. 29, 2025

And the teenage provocateur made no secret of that revulsion, loudly belittling his fellow students.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 9, 2025

Dr. Chernin acknowledged how stressful those conversations can be, sometimes deteriorating into finger-pointing, belittling or stonewalling.

From New York Times May 17, 2024

Those comments were described as "disappointing" by the president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, while the Centre for Mental Health charity said they risked "belittling people's struggles".

From BBC Apr. 19, 2024

I think it might embarrass Stuart to hear mice mentioned in such a belittling manner.”

From "Stuart Little" by E.B. White




Vocabulary lists containing belittle


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