Definitions
- Referring to the act of reducing or diminishing the value or importance of something. - Talking about the act of taking away from the merit or worth of something. - Describing the act of diverting attention from something positive by highlighting negative aspects.
- Referring to the act of making someone or something seem unimportant or insignificant. - Talking about the act of dismissing or diminishing the value or worth of something or someone. - Describing the act of criticizing or ridiculing someone or something to make them appear inferior.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words refer to the act of reducing the value or importance of something or someone.
- 2Both words can be used to describe negative behavior towards someone or something.
- 3Both words can be used to describe a critical attitude towards someone or something.
What is the difference?
- 1Focus: Detract focuses on taking away from the merit or worth of something, while belittle focuses on making someone or something seem unimportant or insignificant.
- 2Intensity: Belittle is more intense and aggressive than detract.
- 3Target: Detract can be used to describe negative aspects of something, while belittle is used to describe negative behavior towards someone or something.
- 4Usage: Detract is more commonly used in formal writing, while belittle is more commonly used in informal contexts.
- 5Connotation: Belittle has a more negative connotation than detract.
Remember this!
Detract and belittle are synonyms that both refer to the act of reducing the value or importance of something or someone. However, detract focuses on taking away from the merit or worth of something, while belittle focuses on making someone or something seem unimportant or insignificant. Additionally, belittle is more intense and aggressive than detract, and has a more negative connotation.
