belittle Definition
- 1make (someone or something) seem unimportant
- 2disparage
Using belittle: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "belittle" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He belittled my efforts to help.
Example
She belittles him in front of their friends.
Example
Don't belittle your own achievements.
Example
The coach belittled the team's performance after the loss.
belittle Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with belittle
Example
She belittles herself by constantly putting herself down.
belittle someone's achievements
to make someone's accomplishments seem unimportant or insignificant
Example
It's not fair to belittle someone's achievements just because they don't match up to your own.
belittle someone's intelligence
to make someone seem less intelligent than they actually are
Example
He belittles her intelligence by always talking down to her.
Origins of belittle
from be- 'thoroughly' + little, originally meaning 'make into little'
Summary: belittle in Brief
'Belittle' [bɪˈlɪt(ə)l] is a verb that means to make someone or something seem unimportant or inferior. It can be used in various contexts, such as when someone undermines another's efforts or accomplishments, or when someone talks down to another. Synonyms include 'disparage' and 'minimize,' while antonyms include 'praise' and 'exalt.'
