belittle
6 synonyms and 5 antonyms for belittle, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To speak of someone or something as less important or impressive than it really is, often to show contempt.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use belittle
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
belittle someone's efforts
feel belittled
Etymology
Formed from be- plus little; the word is credited to Thomas Jefferson, who coined it in 1782.
Full origin of belittle →Frequently asked questions
What does “belittle” mean?
The word “belittle” means to speak of someone or something as less important or impressive than it really is, often to show contempt. In plain terms, to make someone or something seem smaller or less worthy than it actually is, usually unkindly.
How do you pronounce “belittle”?
“Belittle” is pronounced bih-LIHT-uhl (/bɪˈlɪt.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “belittle” in a sentence?
Here is “belittle” used in a sentence: “He constantly belittled his colleagues' ideas in meetings.”
What part of speech is “belittle”?
“Belittle” is a verb.
Where does the word “belittle” come from?
The word “belittle” dates back to around 1782. Formed from be- plus little; the word is credited to Thomas Jefferson, who coined it in 1782.
