belittle
verb
be·lit·tle
bi-ˈli-tᵊl 
bē-
belittled; belittling
bi-ˈli-tᵊl-iŋ
-ˈlit-liŋ,
bē-
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
Mark TwainSynonyms
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
Miss Manners regrets to observe that the usual current method of pointing out others’ errors is to belittle them.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 24 June 2024
In fact, the retort could lead people to dangerously belittle the scourge and repugnance of real anti-Semitism.
—Salam Fayyad, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2024
When anxiety or depression do strike, Karcher said, female pastors enjoy less support than males, are belittled as weak or inadequate leaders, or accused of overblowing the situation.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 26 May 2024
That freedom gives Kang the right to exercise free speech and belittle the action taken to raise our flag.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 11 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for belittle 
Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 24 June 2024
In fact, the retort could lead people to dangerously belittle the scourge and repugnance of real anti-Semitism.
—Salam Fayyad, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2024
When anxiety or depression do strike, Karcher said, female pastors enjoy less support than males, are belittled as weak or inadequate leaders, or accused of overblowing the situation.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 26 May 2024
That freedom gives Kang the right to exercise free speech and belittle the action taken to raise our flag.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 11 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for belittle
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'belittle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near belittle
Cite this Entry
“Belittle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/belittle. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
belittle
verb
be·lit·tle
bi-ˈlit-ᵊl
belittled; belittling
-ˈlit-ᵊl-iŋ
-ˈlit-liŋ
: to make (a person or a thing) seem little or unimportant
belittle the success of a rival
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