What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
belittle
Example
She always belittles her colleagues' ideas during meetings. [belittles: verb]
Example
His constant belittling of others only shows his own insecurity. [belittling: gerund or present participle]
diminish
Example
The company's profits have diminished over the years. [diminished: past tense]
Example
Her achievements should not be diminished just because she is young. [diminished: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Diminish is more commonly used than belittle in everyday language. Diminish is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while belittle is less common and is typically used in specific situations where someone's achievements or abilities are being undermined.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between belittle and diminish?
While belittle is associated with a more informal and negative tone, diminish can be used in both formal and informal contexts, allowing for a more neutral or positive usage.
