BELITTLED Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

belittled

verb

past tense of belittle

as in dismissed

to express scornfully one's low opinion of belittled the action star's acting ability

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of belittled The bride shared that the moment left her feeling belittled, even as guests laughed along. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025 Paxton and Hunt belittled Cornyn’s border appearance. — Joseph Morton, Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026 The president belittled Bray on social media and threatened to support a primary challenger, and still Bray wouldn’t budge. — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2026 According to the suit, she was humiliated by fellow staff members and belittled due to her race, country of origin, religion and immigration status. — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026 What a disappointment to have something so joyous tarnished by a dreadful reality where women are being belittled & disrespected for existing. — Doha Madani, NBC news, 25 Feb. 2026 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 The Babylon Bee posted a satirical video suggesting that if a female president was mercurial — launching foreign wars, trade wars and petty feuds — and focusing on gewgaws and shoes, she’d be endlessly belittled. — Maureen Dowd, Mercury News, 23 June 2026 Unlike some of her contemporaries (say, Lauryn Hill), Missy never rejected or belittled explicit markers of femme subjectivity. — Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for belittled

Verb

Interviewed following his win on ESPN, the 42-year-old Chestnut dismissed, more or less, the impact of today’s 92 degree New York heat on the proceedings.

— Greg Evans, Deadline, 4 July 2026
The nonprofit, which alleged the county violated the Surplus Lands Act by not first exploring affordable-housing development at the site, still has not dismissed its lawsuit.

— Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 4 July 2026

Definition of dismissed

Verb

In Lunas Campos’ case, officials from the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, initially minimized the incident that led to his death, pointing to his criminal history.

— Perla Trevizo, ProPublica, 3 July 2026
Context that undermines sensational allegations is minimized.

— Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of minimized

Verb

But later, when the same image appeared alongside a photo of someone the participant relied on for support, like a partner, parent, or friend, the fear response diminished.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026
Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi’s great rival, who is forty-one and diminished, showed the danger of staying too long.

— Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 30 June 2026

Definition of diminished

Verb

Trump has criticized other NATO members for not helping the US in its war on Iran, personally attacking the leaders of several countries over the issue.

— Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
The attorneys criticized the speed at which the judge conducted the trial, including a court date on a Saturday when several defense witnesses were unavailable.

— Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 7 July 2026

Definition of criticized

Verb

Pro-Cleveland newspapers disparaged Halpin’s character and ran reports that Blaine’s wife was pregnant before they were married.

— Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 June 2026
By the way they’re subtly disparaged for not being financially irresponsible to declare their fanaticism.

— Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 13 June 2026

Definition of disparaged

Verb

At a time when Black American culture is being reviled and denigrated throughout much of public life, this unapologetic expression of joy in outdoor winter activities is an enduring tribute to the resilience of people whose pursuit of happiness will not be denied.

— James Edward Mills, Outside, 15 Mar. 2026
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

Definition of denigrated

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belittle

belittled

belittlement

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“Belittled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belittled. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of belittled

verb

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