What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
denigrating
Example
The politician was denigrating his opponent's record during the debate. [denigrating: verb]
Example
She felt denigrated by her boss's comments about her work. [denigrated: past tense]
belittling
Example
Stop belittling me! I am capable of doing this task. [belittling: present participle]
Example
Her teacher's constant belittling made her lose confidence in her abilities. [belittled: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Belittling is more commonly used than denigrating in everyday language. Belittling is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while denigrating is less common and has a more formal tone.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between denigrating and belittling?
Denigrating is typically associated with a more formal tone, while belittling can be employed in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be used in a wider range of situations.
