Synonym Chooser

How does the verb belittle contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of belittle are decry, depreciate, and disparage. While all these words mean "to express a low opinion of," belittle usually suggests a contemptuous or envious attitude.

belittled the achievements of others

In what contexts can decry take the place of belittle?

The words decry and belittle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, decry implies open condemnation with intent to discredit.

decried their defeatist attitude

Where would depreciate be a reasonable alternative to belittle?

Although the words depreciate and belittle have much in common, depreciate implies a representing as being of less value than commonly believed.

critics depreciate his plays for being unabashedly sentimental

When could disparage be used to replace belittle?

While the synonyms disparage and belittle are close in meaning, disparage implies depreciation by indirect means such as slighting or invidious comparison.

disparaged polo as a game for the rich

Examples Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of belittle Reagan was mocked, belittled, and condescended to more than any other major politician of his era—and so, today, is Trump. Consider also the strength of their political positions. Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025 Every so often, Richard Gere will show up to scream and belittle everyone during tense meetings in conference rooms. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 30 Dec. 2024 But these are two of the nation’s leading newspapers trying to curry favor with someone who spent his first term discounting, belittling and attacking media and, as his quote Thursday shows, plans to do so again if journalists cross him. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 13 Dec. 2024 Online communities often advertise themselves as bringing people together, but many are characterized by toxic behavior, from overt harassment, hate speech, trolling, and doxing to more casual (yet often still quite harmful) comments that belittle and exclude. Olivier Sibai, marius K. Luedicke, kristine De Valck, Harvard Business Review, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for belittle 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belittle
Verb
  • King’s request to dismiss the federal agencies also said U.S. District Courts have jurisdiction on Freedom of Information Act requests in civil matters, as well as the claims alleging the State Department was negligent.
    Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 24 Jan. 2025
  • What’s more, tech companies have hired workers in growing areas such as AI while at the same time dismissing workers in less-promising sectors.
    George Avalos, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • These factors work together to create a solid foundation for profitability and scalability, making these businesses an attractive choice for entrepreneurs looking to minimize risk and maximize success.
    Melissa Houston, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
  • This opens a familiar interface, and based on the video attached to the announcement, the platform seems to have options to cast the video to a bigger screen or minimize it.
    Jibin Joseph, PCMAG, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Health experts fear that a US withdrawal from the agency would significantly diminish the agency's resources and capabilities, leave the world more vulnerable to health threats, and isolate the US, hurting its own interests and leaving the country less prepared to respond to another pandemic.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 21 Jan. 2025
  • The new aid package swiftly follows Donald Trump's inauguration as president of the United States once more, and U.S. support for Ukraine could diminish soon.
    Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • As a drama with an elemental emotional kick—a child alone, facing dangers while trying to find his way home—it has been wrongly disparaged as sentimental, conventional, or even compromised.
    Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Pay attention to the attempts to disparage the new state’s attorney.
    Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • And this is not to denigrate them, this is to deal with the truth.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Early reggaeton, like salsa before it, and plena before that, were often denigrated because of their origins in working-class Black communities.
    Vanessa Diaz, Rolling Stone, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The Sun article in question reported that Sheeran had attended a party on New Year's Eve hosted by the Harry Potter author, who has been publicly criticized for making anti-trans comments.
    Marina Watts, People.com, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Trump has been harshly criticized for pardoning Jan. 6 defendants who assaulted police officers but said Tuesday that planned pardons of D.C. police Terence Sutton and Andrew Zabavsky indicate his true stance in support of law enforcement.
    Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 22 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near belittle

Cite this Entry

“Belittle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belittle. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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