as in dismissed
to express scornfully one's low opinion of
belittled the action star's acting ability
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Recent Examples of belittled
The president relentlessly criticized and belittled Powell, attempting to blame him for some of the discontent over the economy that followed the president’s own tariff announcements.
—
Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
Paxton and Hunt belittled Cornyn’s border appearance.
—Joseph Morton, Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026
The bride shared that the moment left her feeling belittled, even as guests laughed along.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Advertisement Instead of being celebrated as trailblazers, these women are mocked by the press, underestimated by their colleagues, and belittled by society at large.
—Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
That career that is underestimated and belittled by those who preferred to have a laugh for a few moments, preferred to throw the stone.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Giants rookie Abdul Carter belittled the Jets on Sunday while mocking the first lowlight of his NFL career.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2025
Borgman chronicles how the show focused on entertainment over health and how contestants were belittled and encouraged to follow unhealthy weight loss methods, including consuming caffeine pills.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 15 Aug. 2025
The complaint alleges that Santiago belittled, stalked and harassed Ortiz in front of other students and teachers.
—Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2025
Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
Paxton and Hunt belittled Cornyn’s border appearance.
—Joseph Morton, Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026
The bride shared that the moment left her feeling belittled, even as guests laughed along.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Advertisement Instead of being celebrated as trailblazers, these women are mocked by the press, underestimated by their colleagues, and belittled by society at large.
—Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
That career that is underestimated and belittled by those who preferred to have a laugh for a few moments, preferred to throw the stone.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Giants rookie Abdul Carter belittled the Jets on Sunday while mocking the first lowlight of his NFL career.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2025
Borgman chronicles how the show focused on entertainment over health and how contestants were belittled and encouraged to follow unhealthy weight loss methods, including consuming caffeine pills.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 15 Aug. 2025
The complaint alleges that Santiago belittled, stalked and harassed Ortiz in front of other students and teachers.
—Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belittled
Verb
-
The additional charges were dismissed.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Obama dismissed those rumors, joking that if aliens existed and were being concealed, even the president was not in on it.—
Adisa Hargett-Robinson,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The report warned that neglect is often minimized within the child welfare system, where it can be conflated with poverty and social workers may be reluctant to penalize poor or minority parents who are juggling multiple jobs.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Foliage disease can be minimized by ensuring good air circulation within the crown through proper plant spacing.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The mood around EVs can be attributed to many factors, such as the loss of federal tax credits in 2025; the end of emissions waivers and revenues from carbon credits; and diminished aftermarket values as consumers fear battery degradation and anticipate quickly evolving technologies.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Davie’s successor will inherit an organization wrestling with its place in a media ecosystem dominated by overseas tech giants, as well as battling enemies closer to home, with conservative politicians and media proprietors wishing to see the BBC diminished during charter renewal.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Public health experts also criticized the president for making unfounded claims about highly politicized health issues.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
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Valieva’s coach, Eteri Tutberidze, is one of the most prominent figures in a coaching culture that has long been criticized for prioritizing thinness, disordered eating, and early peak performance over athletes’ well-being.—
Jasmine Wynn,
Time,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Books highlighting stories of Blacks in the military were disparaged, and many removed from the US Naval Academy in what was shocking to military personnel far and wide.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Feb. 2026
-
In the Ellis interview, Tarantino disparaged several veteran actors typically considered to be among the more professional, talented, and likable in the industry.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Musk and Tesla have denigrated the use of radar and lidar sensors, which are integral parts of the systems used by Waymo and most other self-drivers.—
Andrea Guzmán,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Feb. 2026
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Not only that, the cruel Lady Penwood denigrated Sophie's mother as a disgraceful woman who died with no money, title or security for her daughter.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Belittled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belittled. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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