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.

Belittle is a tiny word with big reach.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 5, 2025

Get her a copy of Codependent No More by Melody Belittle and ask her to read it and discuss it with you.

From Slate • Aug. 16, 2021

Belittle your ex: That line of clothing at Macy’s?

From Washington Post • Jul. 1, 2015

Sir: Belittle him as you will, he is the only American today who dares to articulate what most of us are thinking.

From Time Magazine Archive

Belittle, be-lit′l, v.t. to make small: to cause to appear small, to depreciate or disparage.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various

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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