belittle
verb
be·lit·tle
bi-ˈli-tᵊl 
bē-
belittled; belittling
bi-ˈli-tᵊl-iŋ
-ˈlit-liŋ,
bē-
1
: to speak slightingly of : disparage
belittles her efforts
2
: to cause (a person or thing) to seem little or less
a curiosity so vast that it almost belittled the main matter—
Mark Twain
Mark TwainExamples of belittle in a Sentence
The critic belittled the author's work.
Her detractors are in the habit of belittling her accomplishments.
Recent Examples on the Web
No artist, producer, director, or leader—regardless of legacy or celebrity—should be allowed to weaponize their platform to belittle, threaten, or devalue others without consequence.
—Joey Nolfi Published, EW.com, 30 May 2025
According to Richard, Diddy belittled and harassed the female contestants during filming.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 20 May 2025
This kind of medical gaslighting is a widespread issue, with many women feeling dismissed, belittled, or disbelieved by healthcare providers, especially when seeking treatment for chronic pain.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 9 May 2025
But more than a quarter of the providers were belittling and about 20% did not believe the patient.
—Linda Carroll, NBC news, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for belittle
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Joey Nolfi Published, EW.com, 30 May 2025
According to Richard, Diddy belittled and harassed the female contestants during filming.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 20 May 2025
This kind of medical gaslighting is a widespread issue, with many women feeling dismissed, belittled, or disbelieved by healthcare providers, especially when seeking treatment for chronic pain.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 9 May 2025
But more than a quarter of the providers were belittling and about 20% did not believe the patient.
—Linda Carroll, NBC news, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for belittle
Cite this Entry
“Belittle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/belittle. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
belittle
verb
be·lit·tle
bi-ˈlit-ᵊl
belittled; belittling
-ˈlit-ᵊl-iŋ
-ˈlit-liŋ
: to make (a person or a thing) seem little or unimportant
belittle the success of a rival
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