belittle

verb be·lit·tle \bi-ˈli-t^əl, bē-\

: to describe (someone or something) as little or unimportant

be·lit·tledbe·lit·tling\-ˈli-t^əl-iŋ, -ˈlit-liŋ\

Full Definition of BELITTLE

transitive verb

: to speak slightingly of : disparage <belittles her efforts>

: to cause (a person or thing) to seem little or less <a curiosity so vast that it almost belittled the main matter — Mark Twain>

— be·lit·tle·ment \-ˈli-t^əl-mənt\ noun

— be·lit·tler \-ˈli-t^əl-ər, -ˈlit-lər\ noun

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First Known Use of BELITTLE

1797

Related to BELITTLE

Synonyms: bad-mouth, decry, cry down, denigrate, deprecate, depreciate, derogate, diminish, dis (also diss) [slang], discount, dismiss, disparage, kiss off, minimize, play down, poor-mouth, put down, run down, talk down, trash, trash-talk, vilipend, write off

Antonyms: acclaim, applaud, exalt, extol (also extoll), glorify, laud, magnify, praise

Synonym Discussion of BELITTLE

decry, depreciate, disparage, belittle mean to express a low opinion of. decry implies open condemnation with intent to discredit <decried their defeatist attitude>. depreciate implies a representing as being of less value than commonly believed <critics depreciate his plays for being unabashedly sentimental>. disparage implies depreciation by indirect means such as slighting or invidious comparison <disparaged polo as a game for the rich>. belittle usually suggests a contemptuous or envious attitude <belittled the achievements of others>.