BELITTLE Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

belittle

verb

bi-ˈli-tᵊl

Definition of belittle next

as in to dismiss

to express scornfully one's low opinion of belittled the action star's acting ability

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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